The Myseries of Harris Burdick

CHRIS VAN ALLSBURG

THE MYSTERIES OF HARRIS BURDICK

Introduction

I first saw the drawings in this book a year ago, in the house 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’ 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 Wenders liked his work.
Peter Wenders was fascinated by the drawings. 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.

Introduction Continued

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’ 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 have been reproduced here for the first time.

ARCHIE

SMITH, BOY

WONDER

A tiny voice asked, “Is he

the one?”

UNDER THE

RUG

Two weeks passed and it

happened again.

A STRANGE
DAY IN JULY

He threw with all his might,
but the third stone came

skipping back.

MISSING IN

VENICE

Even with her mighty
engines in reverse, the
ocean liner was pulled

further and further into the

canal.

ANOTHER

PLACE,

ANOTHER

TIME

If there was an answer, he’d

find it there.

UNINVITED

GUESTS

His heart was pounding. He
was sure he had seen the

doorknob turn.

THE HARP

So it’s true he thought, it’s

really true.

MR.

LINDEN’S
LIBRARY

He had warned her about
the book. Now it was too

late.

THE SEVEN

CHAIRS

The fifth one ended up in

France.

THE THIRD-

FLOOR

BEDROOM

It all began when someone

left the window open.

JUST

DESSERT

She lowered the knife and it

grew even brighter.

CAPTAIN

TORY

He swung his lantern three

times and slowly the
schooner appeared.

OSCAR AND
ALPHONSE
She knew it was time to

send them back. The

caterpillars softly wiggled in

her hand, spelling out

“goodbye.”

THE HOUSE
ON MAPLE

STREET

It was a perfect lift-off.