The Van Gogh Cafe

Written by Cynthia Rylant

Published by Scholastic, Apple Paperbacks in 1995

“Things are always changing at the Van Gogh Café, and something new is sure to happen soon. Perhaps when lightning strikes…” (11)

Awards: 

• An ALA Notable Children’s Book 
• 1996 Pen USA West Children’s Award
• Cynthia Rylant is also the author of one Newbery medal winning book, one Newbery-honor book and two Caldecott honor Picture books.

Summary: 

Ten-year-old Clara and her father Marc own the Van Gogh Café, where something magical is always happening. From food that cooks itself to poems that tell the future, the mysterious happenings at the Van Gogh café touch every person, and animal, in Flowers, Kansas. Even on seemingly normal days when the old phonograph plays the same old tune, Clara just knows something magical will happen soon…

Reading Level: Lexile Framework: 810L Grade Level: 4.5

Suggested Delivery: Independent Read, Whole Group Discussion

Description: Fantasy, Short Stories/Vignettes

Key Vocabulary (by page number): picturesque (4), phonograph (5), omens (20), speculation (20), wayward (40), scuffling (45), revelation (53)

Teaching Suggestions:

1. Each chapter in The Van Gogh Café ends with an uncompleted sentence followed by an ellipsis (the purpose of the grammatical element can also be discussed). The sentence includes the name of the next chapter, therefore creating a “to be continued” effect for readers and a smooth transition. Talk with students about Rylant’s writing technique at the end of each chapter and how they feel this affects their reading.
2. Discuss with students the role of short stories in a cohesive novel and how they all contribute to one larger story. To clarify, students may be asked to share two-three small events from their day, and then identify how all these small events contribute to one another and finally to one bigger picture.
3. The Van Gogh Café is a book about magic that can happen even in the most ordinary of places like Flowers, Kansas. Have students discuss within small groups if they believe in “magic” and how the idea of a “magical” event can mean different things to different people (i.e. it’s not always a “magical creature” or fairytale character).

Comprehension Strategies:

Before Reading: Before reading The Van Gogh Café, students should research two literary genres: Fantasy and Short Stories. The class can be divided in half for research and then the teacher will compile the results in a T-chart on the board. Identifying elements of these two genres will help the students better understand the book’s fictional elements and it’s carrying topics from chapter to chapter.

During Reading: After discussing the “to be continued” effect at the end of each chapter (as mentioned above) have students stop reading before each new chapter and make predictions based on the unfinished last sentence and the next chapter title. Encourage students to use their imagination and make their predictions based off the “magical” theme of the book. Have students share/record their predictions and reflect on them after each chapter.

After Reading: At the end of the novel, a man referred to only as “The Writer” enters the Van Gogh Café. This man has a real passion for writing but none of the publishing companies seem to like his work. As he experiences a revelation, “He remembers that the artist for whom this café is named sold only one painting his entire life.” (53). Have students discuss in small groups the significance of the comparison between the writer and the artist Van Gogh. What greater meaning does this comparison have? Students can even do some research on the artist Van Gogh to find significant similarities between him and the struggling writer.

Writing Activity: Give students an open-ended sentence, like the ones at the end of each chapter in The Van Gogh Café. Try to create at least 5-6 for some variety. Students will choose their story starter at random and then have to create a story just from that! Encourage students to use their imagination and writing techniques that Cynthia Rylant uses (like suspense, visual details, etc.)

Electronic Resources:

Meet The Artist Job Application

This fun worksheet is formatted like a job application but aids in research on the life of Vincent Van Gogh. Students will have to fill in “Did your parents or relatives teach you art, or where did you go to school?”, “List the artwork you have created”, etc.

Vincent Van Gogh: A Short Biography

This web page delivers an easy-to-read bio on Van Gogh providing vital information on his life without being too wordy or difficult to navigate.

Story Starters for Kids

If you’re having trouble creating some fun, suspenseful story starters for the writing activity, this website will create them automatically! 

Rylant, C. (1995). The Van Gogh Cafe. New York: Scholastic, Inc.