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boilergeezer's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
brambresseleers's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
diadandy's review against another edition
5.0
Cute! I loved the little bits of personality showing in each story from some of my favorite childhood writers.
rainmisoa's review against another edition
4.0
This book of anthologies was a good read. I enjoyed most of the stories in it. Some were better than others but as a whole, it was great. The writing in some stories was a bit juvenile, but I felt with the others being as wonderful as they were, it makes up for the lack of quality in some of the short stories. What I liked most about this book, aside from the fabulous illustrations, was the mysterious aspect of this Harris Burdick. No one seems to know anything about this man. He just showed up one day, said he had 14 pieces of art that had stories that went with them, left the art to a publisher, and then disappeared without handing over those stories. Just who is he? Anyway, it was that aspect that kept me intrigued throughout the entire book. Just something you don't read about everyday. This was such a quick read. You can finish it in one sitting and many of the stories are fascinating. There are a few that come across as dull so you might want to push on through those to get to the good ones. Give it a try! The artwork makes it worth it in the end.
spiffysarahruby's review against another edition
5.0
I came across this book while looking for a book club book for the adult literacy program I work for. The reading level and book length are on spot--I think this could be a good choice, although it would probably make a good book for October which has already passed. This book is essentially a companion book to "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick" which is a book with pictures, their titles, and short captions, and the reader is left to imagine the stories that the pictures go with. THIS book gives the readers stories to go with those images, all penned by famous authors; Sherman Alexie, Lois Lowry, and Stephen King to name a few.
The work of Chris Van Allsburg is unmistakable and all the images in this book, pulled from "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick," manage to be both serene and bizarre all at the same time. My favorite images were:
1) The Seven Chairs
2) Another Place, Another Time
3) The House on Maple Street
The accompanying stories to the images are equally bizarre (hence, my thought that the book would make a better October book club selection). My favorite stories were:
1) Just Desert
2) Another Place, Another Time
3) Under the Rug
I already have a fondness for anthologies and expected to like this book. While I did end up liking the book a great deal, I have to say this book really surprised me. Granted, the illustrations are strange and it's probably stupid that I didn't expect the stories to be just as strange or even disturbing, but I really didn't--and they totally were! This book is put in the children's section of my library and I can't help but wonder if kids could really, truly appreciate the nature of stories like this. Probably a dumb thing to think, but my experience with kids is a bit limited, and I was reading this with the adult learners in our program in mind anyway. I actually think this book would provide a much-needed, healthy stretch of the imagination for our book club participants! I will definitely keep this one in mind as a future book club selection.
The work of Chris Van Allsburg is unmistakable and all the images in this book, pulled from "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick," manage to be both serene and bizarre all at the same time. My favorite images were:
1) The Seven Chairs
2) Another Place, Another Time
3) The House on Maple Street
The accompanying stories to the images are equally bizarre (hence, my thought that the book would make a better October book club selection). My favorite stories were:
1) Just Desert
2) Another Place, Another Time
3) Under the Rug
I already have a fondness for anthologies and expected to like this book. While I did end up liking the book a great deal, I have to say this book really surprised me. Granted, the illustrations are strange and it's probably stupid that I didn't expect the stories to be just as strange or even disturbing, but I really didn't--and they totally were! This book is put in the children's section of my library and I can't help but wonder if kids could really, truly appreciate the nature of stories like this. Probably a dumb thing to think, but my experience with kids is a bit limited, and I was reading this with the adult learners in our program in mind anyway. I actually think this book would provide a much-needed, healthy stretch of the imagination for our book club participants! I will definitely keep this one in mind as a future book club selection.
kandicez's review against another edition
5.0
I need to start off by saying that I read an exquisite, hard back, over sized copy of this book. It's cloth bound, double foil stamped, and simply a gorgeous addition to my library!
Introduction by Lemony Snicket - ***** What can you say about Snicket's irreverent and charming writing style? If you don't like the Series of Unfortunate Event series, don't read this introduction.
Archie Smith, Boy Wonder by Tabitha King - ***** Tabby does not get the attention she deserves. This little story isn't great because of what happens, but because of the way she tells us. She uses words like a master, and no one should be surprised by this.
Under the Rug by Jon Scieszka - ***** Scieszka got the scariest illustration, in my opinion, and made the most of it. It was incredibly suspenseful to be so short.
A Strange Day in July by Sherman Alexie - ***** Kids are liars. Alexie takes that fundamental truth and runs with it! The fact that his illustration was just a beautiful play of light on the water speaks volumes about his imagination!
Missing in Venice by Gregory Maguire - ** I've never cared for Maguire's style and this was no exception. I know he has skill, so I couldn't give it one star, but it's not skill that appeals to me.
Another Place, Another Time by Cory Doctorow - This was a miniscule example of perfect fantasy for children, comparable to Tolkien or Lewis, or Grossman's more modern, The Silver Arrow.
Uninvited Guests by Jules Feiffer - *** This was hard to rate because I thought the premise, and especially the ending, was clever, I didn't care much for the style in which it was written.
The Harp by Linda Sue Park - *** This reminded me of fairy tales I read as a child, or a watered down version of a Harry Potter story. It was sweet and satisfying, but nothing extraordinary.
Mr. Linden's Library by Walter Dean Myers - **** I'm a sucker for a story about a library. A magical library? Even better!
The Seven Chairs by Lois Lowry - *** Clever, and even fun, but nothing amazing.
The Third-Floor Bedroom by Kate DiMillo - ***** A less scary version of The Yellow Wallpaper. Epistolary, which is one of my very favorite formats!
Just Desert by M.T. Anderson - ***** Very Creepshow / Twilight Zone / Outer Limits fare. I love this stuff!
Captain Tory by Louis Sachar - ***** Beautiful story, beautifully paced and told.
Oscar and Alphonse by Chris Van Allsburg - ***** I'm also a sucker for a smart little girl told at a time when little girls were meant to be pretty, not smart. And caterpillars. I'm a huge fan of caterpillars!
The House on Maple Street by Stephen King - ***** All of the stars. This has always been one of my favorite short stories, and the audio, read by Tabby, is sublime. King really knows how to write children, and this is a great example of that.
All in all I really enjoyed these tales. I had read some in other places, most often, being aware they were inspired by these illustrations, but I was surprised by a few. Short story collections are magical all on their own, but when you add these haunting illustrations, it's easy to see why and how author's are inspired.
Introduction by Lemony Snicket - ***** What can you say about Snicket's irreverent and charming writing style? If you don't like the Series of Unfortunate Event series, don't read this introduction.
Archie Smith, Boy Wonder by Tabitha King - ***** Tabby does not get the attention she deserves. This little story isn't great because of what happens, but because of the way she tells us. She uses words like a master, and no one should be surprised by this.
Under the Rug by Jon Scieszka - ***** Scieszka got the scariest illustration, in my opinion, and made the most of it. It was incredibly suspenseful to be so short.
A Strange Day in July by Sherman Alexie - ***** Kids are liars. Alexie takes that fundamental truth and runs with it! The fact that his illustration was just a beautiful play of light on the water speaks volumes about his imagination!
Missing in Venice by Gregory Maguire - ** I've never cared for Maguire's style and this was no exception. I know he has skill, so I couldn't give it one star, but it's not skill that appeals to me.
Another Place, Another Time by Cory Doctorow - This was a miniscule example of perfect fantasy for children, comparable to Tolkien or Lewis, or Grossman's more modern, The Silver Arrow.
Uninvited Guests by Jules Feiffer - *** This was hard to rate because I thought the premise, and especially the ending, was clever, I didn't care much for the style in which it was written.
The Harp by Linda Sue Park - *** This reminded me of fairy tales I read as a child, or a watered down version of a Harry Potter story. It was sweet and satisfying, but nothing extraordinary.
Mr. Linden's Library by Walter Dean Myers - **** I'm a sucker for a story about a library. A magical library? Even better!
The Seven Chairs by Lois Lowry - *** Clever, and even fun, but nothing amazing.
The Third-Floor Bedroom by Kate DiMillo - ***** A less scary version of The Yellow Wallpaper. Epistolary, which is one of my very favorite formats!
Just Desert by M.T. Anderson - ***** Very Creepshow / Twilight Zone / Outer Limits fare. I love this stuff!
Captain Tory by Louis Sachar - ***** Beautiful story, beautifully paced and told.
Oscar and Alphonse by Chris Van Allsburg - ***** I'm also a sucker for a smart little girl told at a time when little girls were meant to be pretty, not smart. And caterpillars. I'm a huge fan of caterpillars!
The House on Maple Street by Stephen King - ***** All of the stars. This has always been one of my favorite short stories, and the audio, read by Tabby, is sublime. King really knows how to write children, and this is a great example of that.
All in all I really enjoyed these tales. I had read some in other places, most often, being aware they were inspired by these illustrations, but I was surprised by a few. Short story collections are magical all on their own, but when you add these haunting illustrations, it's easy to see why and how author's are inspired.
iamastraythought's review against another edition
It just wasn't what I expected. I didn't know it was a children's book
beereads88's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes