Reading the introduction, we learn that Harris Burdick walked into a children's book publishing office with 14 stories that went along with 14 illustrations he had drawn. Leaving the illustrations in the publishing office, Burdick was never heard from again, and the stories that go with each drawing remain a mystery. The only thing we have left is a title and caption for each picture. In one drawing, an overwrought man holds a chair over his head and is about to hit a lump under the carpet. The title and caption are: ''Under the Rug': Two weeks passed and it happened again.' In another, a boy and a girl skip stones on the sparkly surface of water. The title and caption are: ''A Strange Day in July': He threw with all his might, but the third stone came skipping back.' Some of the drawings are scary, some are mysterious, some are dreamlike, but all are evocative and full of wonder and imagination. ( )

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is an intruiging tale for young students. The book is a collection of pictures that were left by Harris Burdick, who said he would return with the stories to go along with them the next day. But Harris Burdick never returned! The pictures do each have a title, though. This would be a great story to use with children to get them to write their own stories describing the pictures in this book. Since the real stories are unknown, students could feel like they are in fact a part of the story of this book by trying to solve the mystery of these pictures. There is an entire website devoted to this story at www.themysteriesofharrisburdick.com. Also visit Chris Van Allsburg's website at www.chrisvanallsburg for more information. ( )

This was and excellent book! I loved the pictures! This would be such a great book to use in the classroom. I would give the students one of the pictures and the caption and have them write a story about it. ( )

ALA Notable Books for Children 1985, Boston Glob Horn Book Honor 1985,
New York Times Best Illustrated 1984
wordless picture book

This book is great for children to be able to imagine their own stories from the illustrations. There are minimal words listed in this book, so it allows for children to use their own skills as writers and create their own. ( )