The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: 14 Amazing Authors Tell the Tales

  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, 1984

  About the Authors

  SHERMAN ALEXIE is the author of several novels and collections of short fiction, including the National Book Award winner The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007) and War Dances, winner of the 2010 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. Mr. Alexie lives in Seattle, Washington.

  M. T. ANDERSON is the author of many books for young people, including Feed, which was a finalist for the National Book Award and was a Boston Globe—Horn Book Honor book, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party, which received the Printz Honor and the National Book Award, and The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves, which was also a Printz Honor recipient. Mr. Anderson lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

  KATE DICAMILLO is the author of The Tale of Despereaux, which was awarded the Newbery Medal, Because of Winn-Dixie, a Newbery Honor book, The Magician's Elephant, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and six books starring Mercy Watson, including the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride. She coauthored the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award—winning Bink and Gollie with Alison McGhee. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  CORY DOCTOROW is a science-fiction author, activist, journalist, and blogger—as well as the co-editor of Boing Boing (boingboing.net) and the author of several books, including the best-selling novel Little Brother. He lives in London, England.

  JULES FEIFFER has won a Pulitzer Prize for his cartoons, an Obie for his plays, and an Academy Award for animation. He has written and illustrated many books for children, including The Man in the Ceiling and Bark, George, as well as illustrated the classic The Phantom Tollbooth.

  STEPHEN KING is one of the world's most successful writers. His works include Carrie, The Shining, The Stand, and It. He has won many awards and honors, including several Bram Stoker Awards.

  TABITHA KING is the author of several novels. A social activist, she's involved with many boards and philanthropic foundations. She lives in Maine and Florida with her husband, Stephen King.

  LOIS LOWRY is the author of many beloved books for children. She received Newbery Medals for two of her novels, Number the Stars and The Giver. She has received countless other honors, among them the Boston Globe—Horn Book Award and the Regina Medal. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

  GREGORY MAGUIRE is the author of many books for adults, including the bestseller Wicked, and more than a dozen novels for children. Mr. Maguire has been the recipient of several awards and fellowships. He lives in Concord, Massachusetts.

  WALTER DEAN MYERS is the critically acclaimed author of more than eighty books for children and young adults. His award-winning body of work includes Sunrise over Fallujah, Fallen Angels, and Monster. Mr. Myers has received two Newbery Honors, the Printz Award, and five Coretta Scott King Awards, and has been a three-time finalist for the National Book Award. Mr. Myers lives in Jersey City, New Jersey.

  LINDA SUE PARK is the author of the Newbery Medal winner A Single Shard, as well as numerous other novels, picture books, and poetry. She lives in Rochester, New York.

  LOUIS SACHAR is the author of Holes, which was the winner of the Newbery Award, the Boston Globe—Horn Book Award, and the National Book Award. He is also the author of the popular Marvin Redpost series, the Wayside School series, and most recently The Cardturner. Mr. Sachar lives in Austin, Texas.

  JON SCIESZKA was appointed the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature in 2008. He is the author of several best-selling children's titles, including The Stinky Cheese Man, which received a Caldecott Honor, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, and the Time Warp Trio series. Mr. Scieszka is the founder of Guys Read, a nonprofit literacy organization.

  LEMONY SNICKET is the author of several other unpleasant stories, including those in the best-selling A Series of Unfortunate Events books and The Lump of Coal.

  CHRIS VAN ALLSBURG is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as the recipient of a Caldecott Honor for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. The author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children, he has also received the National Book Award and the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's literature.