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The Treasure
Three times a voice comes to Isaac in his dreams and tells him to go to the capital city and look for a treasure under the bridge by the royal palace. Feeling a little foolish perhaps, but determined to see for himself if the dream is true, Isaac sets out on his long journey. What he finds makes a surprising and heart-warming ending to this retelling of a well-known folk tale. In a few words, Cadelcott Medal winner Uri Shulevitz draws a man who is innocent enough to have faith in a dream, and wise enough to understand the greatest reward of all.
Isaac's solitary journey, his arrival at hte vast city, and his discovery there are all enriched by Mr. Shulevitz's beautifully detailed illustrations, which masterfully capture the spirit of the original tale while keeping it simple enough for the very youngest reader.
The Treasure is a 1980 Caldecott Honor Book and a 1979 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year.
Isaac's solitary journey, his arrival at hte vast city, and his discovery there are all enriched by Mr. Shulevitz's beautifully detailed illustrations, which masterfully capture the spirit of the original tale while keeping it simple enough for the very youngest reader.
The Treasure is a 1980 Caldecott Honor Book and a 1979 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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About the author
Uri Shulevitz
61 books107 followersUri Shulevitz was an American writer and illustrator of children's books. He won the 1969 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, recognizing The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, an Eastern European fairy tale retold by Arthur Ransome in 1916.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
April 30, 2019
I have heard some form of this story before. It reminds me a whole lot of the Alchemist by Paul Coelho. This is a simple beginning story with wonderfully detailed illustrations. A man is poor, Isaac, and he has a dream to go to the capital and find treasure under a bridge. After 3 nights of the dream he goes to the city and meets the captain of the guard on the bridge who tells of his dream of treasure under the Isaac’s stove. The captain doesn’t know he is describing Isaac’s house. So, Isaac goes home and digs under his fireplace and finds treasure.
Such an interesting story. Sometimes the journey is long to get to what is right there all along. It’s pretty much a spiritual journey, isn’t it. People seek out something and they go find someone to teach them. What are they taught? To look inside where all the answer are anyway. It’s a powerful story.
The nephew leaned his head back and said at the end that the man should have just dug under his stove at the beginning. I told him he didn’t know the treasure was there. The nephew said, oh. He gave this 3 stars, not really understanding it. The niece loved the artwork. She asked if people really get dreams like that? It has been known to happen, I answered. She liked the story and she gave this 4 stars.
Such an interesting story. Sometimes the journey is long to get to what is right there all along. It’s pretty much a spiritual journey, isn’t it. People seek out something and they go find someone to teach them. What are they taught? To look inside where all the answer are anyway. It’s a powerful story.
The nephew leaned his head back and said at the end that the man should have just dug under his stove at the beginning. I told him he didn’t know the treasure was there. The nephew said, oh. He gave this 3 stars, not really understanding it. The niece loved the artwork. She asked if people really get dreams like that? It has been known to happen, I answered. She liked the story and she gave this 4 stars.
February 12, 2011
I have recently been reading many books by Uri Shulevitz and I have just stumbled upon this book called “The Treasure.” “The Treasure” is a Caldecott Honor Book by Uri Shulevitz and it is about a man named Isaac who tries to find a buried treasure after his dreams tell him about the treasure. “The Treasure” may have beautiful illustrations, but many children might be bored with the simple storyline.
There once lived a man named Isaac who was very poor, however one night Isaac had a dream where a mysterious voice told him to go the bridge by the Royal Palace to find a treasure there. At first, Isaac did not believe in the dream, but when the dream came back to him for the third time, Isaac decided to go look for the treasure.
Probably the only thing I liked about this book is Uri Shulevitz’s illustrations as they are extremely beautiful and colorful and it richly deserved the Caldecott Honor. The images that I really loved in this book are the images of Isaac himself as he stands out from all the other characters in the book as he wears a large blue overcoat and a brown furry hat that makes him look somewhat simple yet friendly at the same time. I also loved the way that Uri Shulevitz illustrated the images of the forest in this book as they are simply breathtaking to look at and I loved the lush greenness of the trees in the forest.
The reason why I gave this book a three star rating is because the story did not seem that interesting to read about, because it is simply about a man trying to find a treasure with no obstacles in his way. Maybe it is just me, but I think that this book would have been more interesting to me if Isaac had some kind of obstacle in his way of his journey to the treasure rather than just going straight to the palace and then just merrily go back home like nothing else happened.
All in all, “The Treasure” does have gorgeous illustrations that extremely mesmerizing beyond all reason, but children who expect a story that has action and adventure in it will not get that satisfaction in this book and it might be too boring for smaller children to handle.
There once lived a man named Isaac who was very poor, however one night Isaac had a dream where a mysterious voice told him to go the bridge by the Royal Palace to find a treasure there. At first, Isaac did not believe in the dream, but when the dream came back to him for the third time, Isaac decided to go look for the treasure.
Probably the only thing I liked about this book is Uri Shulevitz’s illustrations as they are extremely beautiful and colorful and it richly deserved the Caldecott Honor. The images that I really loved in this book are the images of Isaac himself as he stands out from all the other characters in the book as he wears a large blue overcoat and a brown furry hat that makes him look somewhat simple yet friendly at the same time. I also loved the way that Uri Shulevitz illustrated the images of the forest in this book as they are simply breathtaking to look at and I loved the lush greenness of the trees in the forest.
The reason why I gave this book a three star rating is because the story did not seem that interesting to read about, because it is simply about a man trying to find a treasure with no obstacles in his way. Maybe it is just me, but I think that this book would have been more interesting to me if Isaac had some kind of obstacle in his way of his journey to the treasure rather than just going straight to the palace and then just merrily go back home like nothing else happened.
All in all, “The Treasure” does have gorgeous illustrations that extremely mesmerizing beyond all reason, but children who expect a story that has action and adventure in it will not get that satisfaction in this book and it might be too boring for smaller children to handle.
October 1, 2025
A gently told story with a moral that your treasure might be closer than you think. Nice illustrations that made this a Caldecott honor book.
Isaac lived alone in poverty but had a dream that took him far. It was fulfilled by leading him back to find it at home.
I wish he had a family or maybe used his new treasure directed to people rather than a building though. His reward never quite seemed rationalized the way tales like these usually work out.
Isaac lived alone in poverty but had a dream that took him far. It was fulfilled by leading him back to find it at home.
I wish he had a family or maybe used his new treasure directed to people rather than a building though. His reward never quite seemed rationalized the way tales like these usually work out.
August 19, 2020
No link, really, between the literal plot and the moral, "Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near." The wording is graceful, the illustrations subtly masterful, but I just don't know if children can appreciate the message. Otoh, I know that too many of us underestimate children, so go ahead and try this on them.
January 26, 2015
The Treasure is a simple story with a wonderful message. Words are used sparsely and have a cadence and innocent quality to them. I know children will love joining in, to read the story out loud. What is particularly fun is that the same words are used on the trip home from the Royal Palace that were used on the trip to the Royal Palace, except in reverse order. I thought this reverse repetition was quite clever and a good way to engage children.
While the story is good, the stars of the book are definitely the illustrations. Uri Shulevitz, the author and illustrator uses magnificent drawings with fabulous colours. His drawings are muted and bright, lush and highly detailed. The colours and lights make the paintings pop off the page. Everything seems so inviting. The forests beckon readers to rest in the green shade while the beautiful blue waters invite us to drink and refresh. All the illustrations have depth and layers and an old master quality about them. At the same time, there is a simplicity and mystery about them that encourages dreaming and wondering.
Shulevitz does not use full pages for his illustrations but rather borders each illustration in white. This really draws the eye to each illustration. It makes the illustrations seem like framed artwork hanging for view in an art gallery. It was very effective in highlighting the illustrations and making them an integral part of the story.
Not surprisingly The Treasure was a recipient of a Caldecott Honor in 1980. Uri Shulevitz was also been awarded two other Caldecott Honors for his illustration s in two other books and won the highest award - the Caldecott Medal in 1969 for his illustrations for another author’s book. The Caldecott Medal and Honors are awarded by the American Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association to the Artist of the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States during the preceding year. The Artist must be a citizen or resident of the United States.
The Treasure is a delightful and beautiful picture book that I think both adults and children alike will enjoy. While the story is simple, it’s message is wise and universal and the book will be sure to raise many questions and to provide lots of opportunity for discussion. The illustrations alone would be wonderful just to look at, dream and ponder.
While the story is good, the stars of the book are definitely the illustrations. Uri Shulevitz, the author and illustrator uses magnificent drawings with fabulous colours. His drawings are muted and bright, lush and highly detailed. The colours and lights make the paintings pop off the page. Everything seems so inviting. The forests beckon readers to rest in the green shade while the beautiful blue waters invite us to drink and refresh. All the illustrations have depth and layers and an old master quality about them. At the same time, there is a simplicity and mystery about them that encourages dreaming and wondering.
Shulevitz does not use full pages for his illustrations but rather borders each illustration in white. This really draws the eye to each illustration. It makes the illustrations seem like framed artwork hanging for view in an art gallery. It was very effective in highlighting the illustrations and making them an integral part of the story.
Not surprisingly The Treasure was a recipient of a Caldecott Honor in 1980. Uri Shulevitz was also been awarded two other Caldecott Honors for his illustration s in two other books and won the highest award - the Caldecott Medal in 1969 for his illustrations for another author’s book. The Caldecott Medal and Honors are awarded by the American Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association to the Artist of the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States during the preceding year. The Artist must be a citizen or resident of the United States.
The Treasure is a delightful and beautiful picture book that I think both adults and children alike will enjoy. While the story is simple, it’s message is wise and universal and the book will be sure to raise many questions and to provide lots of opportunity for discussion. The illustrations alone would be wonderful just to look at, dream and ponder.
November 10, 2022
It was okay - nothing really stood out to make it a memorable read.
Ages: 5 - 8
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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Ages: 5 - 8
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
February 15, 2016
I am unsure what I think of this story. I liked the illustrations quite a bit but felt like the story was missing something. I absolutely think our greatest treasures are to be found at home...and it felt like on one level this was a story about gratitude except that finding a literal treasure negates that a bit in my opinion. Anyway, I am a bit unsettled as to my feelings. I asked my husband (who is of Jewish heritage) to read it and see if he had ever heard this folk tale and he had heard the story/read it as a child. (He also said he thinks I am trying to read too much into it.)
November 27, 2008
The illustrations for this book really caught my eye, I couldn't help but like the way they were set up on the page, not fully covering it, but more like artwork in a gallery. The story was pretty simple, but its unique plot twist at the end was unexpected and pleasantly surprising. I'd recommend this book.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008...
November 6, 2016
This is a great book! Picked it up at a Carole Joy Seid conference a while ago. Now that the kids are older, especially Jacob, he really gets it...8/17/15
Jacob read for November Pizza Hut Reading Challenge..krb 11/6/16 He rated it 3 stars
Jacob read for November Pizza Hut Reading Challenge..krb 11/6/16 He rated it 3 stars
February 18, 2019
The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz is wonderful tale about perseverance and paying attention to your intuition. The story is a fairly quick read about a man named Isaac who is poor and has a recurring dream about finding treasure. He eventually believes the dream and travels to find the treasure but this search ultimately leads him back home. The moral of the story which is printed in the book was “Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near”. However I think a bigger theme of the story was to be grateful for what you and always listen to the voice from within.
Some may argue that Isaac didn’t struggle enough, however I believe his struggle was evident based on his ability to live each day and travel long distances even though he didn’t have much. I believe this story would be excellent for ages 7 and up because I believe it is a story that can be told to all ages. The story was easy to read with a powerful and amazing illustrations. I believe the pictures were outstanding and really captured the essence of the story. The writing and the illustrations were both well done and it is a story I recommend to all.
Some may argue that Isaac didn’t struggle enough, however I believe his struggle was evident based on his ability to live each day and travel long distances even though he didn’t have much. I believe this story would be excellent for ages 7 and up because I believe it is a story that can be told to all ages. The story was easy to read with a powerful and amazing illustrations. I believe the pictures were outstanding and really captured the essence of the story. The writing and the illustrations were both well done and it is a story I recommend to all.
April 4, 2018
The book follows a man, Isaac, as he sets out on an adventure after a dream haunts him a few times. He travels far from his home to the Capitol City on foot to fulfill what his dream showed him. He left the city in disappointment but when Isaac returns home he finds that he never needed to travel so far to fulfill what his dream was telling him. The illustrations were all done in calm and beautiful water colors. This coloring really showed the beauty of the eastern European city the character travels through. I highly enjoyed this read, it has a great message behind it which would be great for a lesson on how to make your dreams come true. You do not have to seek for treasure to fulfill your dreams, as long as you work hard and put your mind to it you can make anything happen.
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July 8, 2013This 1980 Caldecott Honor book tells the tale of Isaac, who, living in poverty and need, heeds a voice spoken to in dreams Traveling far from his country side in the quest of finding a treasure under the bridge by the royal palace, Isaac learns a valuable lesson.
After a long, weary journey, Isaac does not find a treasure there and is told by a guard that perhaps he should return to where he came from and look for the treasure in his own home!
Returning, Isaac does just that, and lo and behold finds treasure!
The moral of the story is "Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near."
Lovely images augment a lesson we struggle to comprehend.
After a long, weary journey, Isaac does not find a treasure there and is told by a guard that perhaps he should return to where he came from and look for the treasure in his own home!
Returning, Isaac does just that, and lo and behold finds treasure!
The moral of the story is "Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near."
Lovely images augment a lesson we struggle to comprehend.
April 4, 2014
This is a nice story that is interesting for children and yet tells the moral "Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near." I'm not sure if our girls got much more than the literal plot of the story, but it provided an opportunity for us to discuss being grateful for the things we have and the people who are near and dear to us. The illustrations are colorful and complement the story nicely. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
January 17, 2019
“The Treasure” by Uri Shulevitz was an excellent story that I felt portrayed a good message. It goes to show that no matter what circumstances you are facing, such as financial issues, you could have that motivation coming from somewhere that inspires you and leads you to your “treasure.” This book won the Caldecott Medal Award. I borrowed this book from my college professor, Barb. Overall I thought it was a nice children’s book and would recommend for others to read as well.
December 11, 2017
Isaac was a poor man who had a dream three times that there was treasure far away hidden under a bridge. When he travelled the long journey he couldn't search for the treasure because the bridge was always guarded. One day a guard told him something that changed his life forever.
Gorgeous illustrations.
Gorgeous illustrations.
June 27, 2018
Loved this
Some wonderful language
Author doesn’t develop the plot as he should for young children though
Teachers who read in advance as we should will be prepared with open ended questions to the gaps the author leaves
Sadly, this is too religious to present to young children in public school
Some wonderful language
Author doesn’t develop the plot as he should for young children though
Teachers who read in advance as we should will be prepared with open ended questions to the gaps the author leaves
Sadly, this is too religious to present to young children in public school
July 16, 2012
I liked the message about traveling far to find something near. Sometimes I have to travel from home to fully appreciate again what I have.
March 31, 2020
This a great children's book! A man named Isaac who had a dream. A dream where a voice told him to go to the capital city to find a treasure. He set off on his journey, but the city was guarded. The guard laughed and told Isaac the treasure wasn’t in the city so he walked back home to find the treasure. This is a book that incorporates themes like chasing a dream, being wise or even working hard. The artistic elements were creative in which the author uses cool colors to depict the outside country journey. Even some pages are just a blank white page.
I gave this book 5/5 stars. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely keep it in mind to read to my future class. It would have to be read during some sort of classroom theme, not just a book I pull off the shelf and read. There are some tough concepts to comprehend and I think they would be easily understood connected to themes children already are familiar or interested in.
I gave this book 5/5 stars. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely keep it in mind to read to my future class. It would have to be read during some sort of classroom theme, not just a book I pull off the shelf and read. There are some tough concepts to comprehend and I think they would be easily understood connected to themes children already are familiar or interested in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2023
This was a very quick and easy read about a poor and hungry man who starts to have dreams about a buried treasure in a far-off city. When he has the same dream for a third time, he embarks on a journey to the city. What happens when he gets there is an interesting occurrence and meeting with someone... Is it fate? This story felt much like some fable. Maybe it is. Either way, it was interesting. The only part that I didn't care for was the religious element at the end. The illustrations were interesting, but not enough for me to remember them. Still, I was entertained. I've heard some reviewers state that it reminded them of The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. The Treasure (1978) by Uri Shulevitz. My rating - 3/5
December 9, 2020
An old, poor man named Isaac dreams three times of a voice telling him to travel to the capital city and look for a treasure under a bridge. He finally heeds the advice, travels all the way to the city, and looks near the bridge. There, a captain of the Royal Guard laughs at him for following his dreams...for he himself had a dream telling him to go to a city (the one Isaac lived in!), find a man named Isaac and look under his stove for treasure. Isaac does just that, and finds treasure under his stove!
Sparse illustrations accompany this fable with the message: "Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near."
Sparse illustrations accompany this fable with the message: "Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near."
October 1, 2021
This book is about a man who lives in poverty has a dream about a treasure at the capital and he goes to the capital to find it. He tells a guard and the guard laughs and said if I followed a dream I would go to a town and look under the stove of a man named Isaac and the man went home and looked under his stove and found a treasure. He never lived in poverty again and sent the guard a jewel from the treasure.
This book is good for learning that you have to go far to see what you have in front of you, This actually the lesson the book says at the end.
This book is good for learning that you have to go far to see what you have in front of you, This actually the lesson the book says at the end.
March 21, 2019
A man follows a dream to go to a capital city to find a treasure. The captain of the guards laughs at him and says if he were going to follow dreams he would go to the man's town and look for treasure behind the stove of a man named Isaac. The man (Isaac) returns home and finds the treasure behind his own stove and sends the guard a ruby as thanks for his unwitting help.
Mile
Mile
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2017
• 1980 Caldecott Honor Book •
I really liked this - short but powerful. This is really well done, and I like the art a lot. The moral is "Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near." Love it!
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
I really liked this - short but powerful. This is really well done, and I like the art a lot. The moral is "Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near." Love it!
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
March 21, 2020
I was given this book in High School by a good friend and love it so much! I just re-read it with my kids today and we had a great discussion afterwards..I love how books have the power to change the whole atmosphere in the home and provide a strong sense of connection.
April 16, 2021
I really like the parallelism in this story, from him heading to the Capital back to him heading home using the same words. On top of that is the captains dream compared to his own. The message here is an interesting one as well, but I think it certainly is valuable.
August 17, 2017
Sometimes you have to go far to find something near. I like that message.
January 18, 2018
Confusing. But any book that ends is with a man named Isaac building a synagogue is gonna get 5 stars.
February 26, 2018
This children’s literature teaches not only students, but also adults a very valuable lesson. “Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2018
“Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near.”
May 5, 2018
This charming story is familiar to me by now, but stunning illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews