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Summary: Very Memorable
Review: Mr McCaffery, my 6th grade teacher, gave us creative writing assignments using this book. He copied the pictures, let us chose between four and told us we had to incorporate the sentence given somewhere in the story. I loved that assignment which helped inspire me to find the enjoyment of writing. However I could never remember the title/author of that book. Now, nearly 15 years later, I was extremely excited when I stumbled upon it by accident and without hesitation bought it. For young or old, this book is absolutely amazing and it will stimulate the imagination and storyteller in all of us. It's a must have for those with kids or for those of us who simply need a journey to a world we have forgotten...
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Summary: Visually amazing.
Review: This book will get ANYONE writing. Great for kids, but probably better for adults who've forgetten how to use their imaginiations.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful and Inspiring Book
Review: This book is one of Chris Van Allsburg's best. His illustrations are thought-provoking as well as skillfully drawn. This book would be a great gift for a child (of any age) who is a reluctant writer. The format of the book is like no other I have seen, including pictures, a title and a caption for stories which have "been lost." It beckons creativity.
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Summary: A Work Of Great Imagination
Review: I was first introduced to this book in a children's literature class taught by Jack Gantos. I must confess The Mysteries of Harris Burdick has never left me since. Is there a story? Not really. I think this is precisely why The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is able to take such a profound hold of your imagination. Each of the 14 haunting black & white illustrations are accompanied by a caption. Nothing more. We as the readers are left to ponder the meaning of each picture and make up our own stories to go along them. The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is the perfect way to introduce a child to the joys of reading and writing.Preston McClear, author The Boy Under the Bed
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Summary: Intriguing!
Review: The pictures alone would be enough to start your imagination flowing, but the captions capture you. I've seen this book used in creative writing workshops, children's classrooms, and in homes. Give one to a child you know who loves to make up stories! Or an adult for that matter!
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Summary: oh the nostalgia....
Review: in third grade i read this book and did what many children do...wrote stories to accompany the fragments in the book. something about the book haunted me and for years i thought about it. but i could never remember the name of it. there really hasn't been a week in my life since i was eight that i didn't try to remember the name...or fumble around with close ones (for awhile i was convinced it was harrison murdock and didn't understand why i couldn't find the book). it has been 13 years now and just today as i was walking through the campus of my university i saw a utility truck with the name "murdock" on it and suddenly it came to me. "not murdock, silly...BURDICK!" i ducked into the nearest library and now here i am...reconnected with one of the most vivid memories of my childhood. my point is, this is a book to tickle the imagination, haunt the spirit, and ignite any child's passion for storytelling. it had a profound effect on me and i plan to share it with my future children...if only i can remember the name!
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Summary: An excellent inspiration for the imagination
Review: I had not heard of this book prior to reading about it on Amazon, so thanks to all of you who recommended it so highly. I could not agree with you more, what a fantastic book to get the imagination churning. I went through this book with my five year old, he took a turn making up a story and then I would take a turn. Believe me some of his stories were better than mine, and he has not yet become bored with this book as he does with so many others. So turn off the TV and sit down with a child to make up some stories! My only caveat would be that I would not recommend this book for the very young or those children who are easily spooked, as some of the imagery is a little on the creepy side.
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Summary: Did Harris Burdick really exist at one time?
Review: After reading the book I wondered if this Harris Burdick person really existed. Is he fact or fiction? Could he be part of some small town's local legend? A book with an interesting twist. It reminds me of the movie "The Blair Witch Project". People didn't know if it was fact or fiction. In Chris Van Allsburg's "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick" you have a writer (Burdick) who wants to get his stories published. He shows 14 drawings (each with a title and caption) to a man in the publishing business. Intrigued with what he sees he eagerly awaits the completed stories, only Burdick never comes back. It's kind of weird especially when you see the type of drawings he left behind, kind of spooky. An interesting correlation to his disappearance. Could one of the drawings have played a part in his disappearance? If so, I'd guess it was the last drawing in the book - The House on Maple Street. Oh well, it's a mystery to me.
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Summary: My Brain's Barbells
Review: The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg is a book where they give you a title, a picture , and an opening sentence. You have to create the rest of the story. It lets you use creativity and allows you to write whatever you want. But the writing you do is in a strict matter.
One example is a picture of a ship the size of the Titanic. The Ship is going through an extremely tiny canal in Venice, knocking down large buildings. The title is Missing in Venice and it gives you the first line of the story. As for the pictures they are absolutely marvelous. They have tons of details , are black and white , and are very haunting.
This book has stimulated my brain to write with the ingredients that the book presents me. It inspires me to write every day. Also it builds my vocabulary and gives my brain a workout. I give The Mysteries of Harris Burdick five out of five stars and recommend it for all ages.
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Summary: Great idea generater!!!
Review: I first stumbled across this book while helping a fourth grade teacher where my daughter attends school. He was using the pictures as writing prompts for his class. I must say that I was entranced. The pictures are fabulous and do indeed grab your attention and demand that you imagine the story within the picture. A must for every teacher and parent who wants to encourage creativity!
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