Harris Burdick: Mysterious Stories Unveiled

2. Introduction I first saw the drawings in this book a year ago, in the home of a man named Peter Wenders. Though Mr. Wenders is retired now, he once worked for a children’s book publisher, choosing the stories and pictures that would be turned into books. Thirty years ago a man called at Peter Wenders’s office, introducing himself as Harris Burdick. Mr. Burdick explained that he had written fourteen stories and had drawn many pictures for each one. He’d brought with him just one drawing from each story, to see if Mr. Wenders liked his work. Peter Wenders was fascinated by the drawings.

3. He told Burdick he would like to read the stories that went with them as soon as possible. The artist agreed to bring the stories the next morning. He left the fourteen drawings with Wenders. But he did not return the next day. Or the day after that. Harris Burdick was never heard from again. Over the years, Wenders tried to find out who Burdick was and what had happened to him, but he discovered nothing. To this day Harris Burdick remains a complete mystery.

4. His disappearance is not the only mystery left behind. What were the stories that went with these drawings? There are some clues. Burdick had written a title and caption for each picture. When I told Peter Wenders how difficult it was to look at the drawings and their captions without imagining a story, he smiled and left the room. He returned with a dust-covered cardboard box. Inside were dozens of stories, all inspired by the Burdick drawings. They’d been written years ago by Wenders’s children and their friends. I spent the rest of my visit reading these stories. They were remarkable, some bizarre, some funny, some downright scary. In the hope that other children will be inspired by them, the Burdick drawings are reproduced here for the first time. Chris Van Allsburg Providence, Rhode Island

5. YOUR TASK: You just read the introduction and learned about the mysterious story of Harris Burdick. Doesn't this story make you wonder? That's what Chris Van Allsburg does to make his wonderful stories. He first comes up with a picture and then he writes his story from the picture. His pictures do make you wonder - what happens next? That’s where YOU come in…

6. ARCHIE SMITH, BOY WONDER ”A tiny voice asked, "Is he the one?"

7. What are the lights? Where do the lights come from? Who has the tiny voice? What does the voice mean by "the one"? Is Archie asleep? Why is Archie a wonder? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story?

8. A STRANGE DAY IN JULY ”He threw with all his might, but thethird stone came skipping back. “

9. Who are the kids? What happened to the first two stones? What did the boy do next? What did the boy and girl say to each other? Why is it July? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story?

10. UNDER THE RUG ”Two weeks passed and it happened again. “

11. What happened the first time, before it happened again?” • Why did two weeks pass? • Who is the man? • Where does the man live? • Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story • What is under the rug?

12. MISSING IN VENICE ”Even with her mighty engines in reverse,the ocean liner was pulled further and further into the canal.“

13. Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story? What is pulling the ship into the canal? Why is this happening in Venice? Who or what is missing in Venice? What happens next?

14. ANOTHER PLACE, ANOTHER TIME ”If there was an answer, he'd find it here. “

15. Who are the four people in the picture? Which one is the he who will find it? What is he looking for? How did they get in the sailing railroad cart? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story? What is the place you can see in the distance?

16. THE HARP ”So it's true he thought, it's really true. “

17. Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story? Who is the boy in the picture and where did he come from? Where is the boy now? What is really true? What is special about the harp? What is the ring or water beside the harp?

18. UNINVITED GUESTS ”His heart was pounding.He was sure he had seen the doorknob turn.“

19. Who is he? Did he see the doorknob turn? Why is the door so small? How does he feel being in the cellar? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story? Who is turning the door- knob? How did the door get there?

20. MR. LINDEN'S LIBRARY ”He had warned her about the book.Now it was too late.”

21. Who is Mr. Linden? Who is the girl? What is the book? What was the warning? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story? Why is it too late?

22. THE SEVEN CHAIRS ”The fifth one ended up in France.

23. Is the story about all the chairs or just this one? What is special about the chairs? Are all the chairs the same? Why is the fifth one in France? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story? What do they people in the story say? What happened next?

24. JUST DESSERT ”She lowered the knife and it grew even brighter.“

25. Where is the dessert? What is the girl trying to do? Who is she and how did she get there? What is "it" and why is "it" glowing? What happened just before this? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story?

26. THE THIRD-FLOOR BEDROOM ”It all began when someone left the window open. “

27. Whose house is this? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story? What "all began when someone left the window open? Who left the window open? Was the window left open on purpose or by accident? What happens next?

28. CAPTAIN TORY ”He swung his lanternthree times and slowly the schooner appeared.“

29. Who is Captain Tory? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story? Where did the schooner come from? Who is the boy? How does he feel? What happens next?

30. OSCAR AND ALPHONSE ”She knew it was time to send them back. The caterpillars softly wiggled in her hand, spelling out ‘goodbye.’"

31. Is this the beginning, the middle or the end of the story? Where are the caterpillars going? Where did they come from? How do the caterpillars spell? Who is the girl? How did the girl get to know the caterpillars?

32. THE HOUSE ON MAPLE STREET ”It was a perfect lift-off.”

33. In what year does this happen? Is this the beginning, the middle, or the end of the story? Who is in the story? Where are they in the picture? Where is the house going? How is the house powered?

34. THE TEACHER’S PET ”This time she’d gone too far.”

35. Is this the beginning, the middle or the end of the story? • Who is the “she” that went to far? • What did “she” do? • What will be the consequences? • Who belongs to the hand? • Is the hand taking, or giving?