About book The Chronicles Of Harris Burdick. Based On Original Illustrations By Chris Van Allsburg (2012)
My actual rating is 3.5 stars. There are some truly fantastic stories in this book that go spectacularly with the images BUT, as with many short story books, there were a few in here that dragged it down. The book opens with a Tabitha King story which attempts to be mysterious, magical and enigmatic but falls short. Thankfully her husband concludes the book with a riveting story about a house/spaceship bound for places unknown, taking the monsters with it. And who could possibly forget MT Anderson's "Just Desserts" story about a glowing pumpkin and a strange universe where everything you assume about the world is called into question?! All in all, a very good read filled with many beloved children's authors. I was a huge fan of the Harris Burdick pictures, so I was super excited for this book. Then as I read the stories, I had a "duh" moment. The reason I love the pictures is because I can create my own stories. When I read someone else's stories, they mess up my version (like seeing the movie version of a beloved book). Sure, the stories are far out and interesting as the pictures, and it's fun to see what writers you already know do with the pictures. But the whole point of the original collection is to put your own spin on the pictures.Stephen King's "The House on Maple Street" fits the title, caption, and illustration perfectly; the problem is that it is a grim, grim story of questionable appropriateness for children (about what you'd expect of an author who claims to have the heart of a small boy, in a jar on his desk). In addition the all too stereotypical evil stepparent is likely to offend those whose cause is represented by Step Parents Are Nice & Kind, Evil Media!...
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This was a really neat and unique book. Multiple stories by multiple famous authors. So great.
—Lilly
I wasn't as entranced as most were with this collection.
—brittloeffen
Every picture an unexpectedly delightful story
—Sarah
