Books by Chris Van Allsburg

Who is Harris Burdick? For more than twenty-five years, readers have been puzzling over the illustrations by this enigmatic artist. Thousands of children have been inspired to weave their own stories to go with his intriguingly titled pictures. And now, some of our most imaginative storytellers attempt to solve the perplexing mysteries of Harris Burdick. Enter The Chronicles of Harris Burdick to read this incredible compendium of stories: magical, funny, creepy, poignant, inscrutable, these are tales you won't soon forget.

Jumanji is a strange and dangerous game. When someone throws the dice unusual things start to happen and the players must finish the game - before it finishes them. Peter and Judy find the Jumanji box hidden in a room at the top of an old house and their adventures begin ...

GR 3-5. Be transported back to 1901 and meet Annie Edson Taylor. When her charm school closes Annie needs to find a way to earn money. She has a great idea after reading a newspaper article about the throngs that go to Niagara Falls each summer. With determination of steel, this 62-year old lady sets out to design and build a barrel, in which she’ll plunge over Niagara Falls, thus realizing her dream of becoming rich and famous. Queen of the Falls is based on true events. Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to ride over Niagara Falls in a barrel, and the only woman to take on this task solo. The reader is caught up in the drama, just like those crowds of bygone years, wondering, “Is Annie is going to survive the fall?” She does survive, but her naiveté cost her part of her dream. In true Van Allsburg style, the sepia-style illustrations enable the reader to visually be carried back to the early 1900’s. The emotion of this historic event is captured not only verbally, but also in the facial expressions rendered by Van Allsburg. This author/illustrator’s former works are fantastical and surreal in nature, yet this book attests to his talent in other genres as well. From this book, students can take away the lesson that everyone has dreams, ambitions and goals…even little old ladies.

The award-winning author of Jumanji and The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg, challenges young readers to use their creativity and imagination in this one-of-a-kind book that asks readers to finish the story. When author-illustrator extraordinaire Harris Burdick goes missing, all he's left behind are a series of images with accompanying captions, ideas for separate picture books. But what can a picture of a nun quietly sitting in a chair floating in a cathedral have to do with a caption that says, "THE SEVEN CHAIRS: The fifth one ended up in France?" Enticed to come up with their own endings, readers will marvel at the mystery behind these lasting drawings and the charm of an everchanging narrative. Caldecott medal winner Chris Van Allsburg's call for readers to write their own stories will enthrall young minds again and again.

After being given two magical figs that make his dreams come true, Monsieur Bibot sees his plans for future wealth upset by his long-suffering dog.

A witch's worn-out broom serves a widow well, until her neighbors decide the thing is wicked and dangerous.

When two bad ants desert from their colony, they experience a dangerous adventure that convinces them to return to their former safety.

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES! A secret destroys a man’s perfect life and sends him on a collision course with a deadly conspiracy in this shocking thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben. The stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar, or a parking lot, or at the grocery store. Their identity is unknown. Their motives are unclear. Their information is undeniable. Then they whisper a few words in your ear and disappear, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world.... Adam Price has a lot to lose: a comfortable marriage to a beautiful woman, two wonderful sons, and all the trappings of the American dream: a big house, a good job, a seemingly perfect life. Then he runs into the stranger. When he learns a devastating secret about his wife, Corinne, he confronts her, and the mirage of perfection disappears as if it never existed at all. Soon Adam finds himself tangled in something far darker than even Corinne's deception, and realizes that if he doesn't make exactly the right moves, the conspiracy he’s stumbled into will not only ruin lives—it will end them.

A magical train ride on nochebuena (Christmas Eve) takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from San Nicolás.

A little boy chases the dog he's tending into a mysterious garden. Eventually he comes to the mansion of the owner of the garden who is a magician. He says the dog has been turned into a duck and there's no telling when the spell will wear off. The duck takes his hat and flies away. When he gets home the dog greets him. Then the dog brings him his hat. The reader is left to wonder whether it all really happened or not.