The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg (HC/DJ)

When author-illustrator extraordinaire Harris Burdick goes missing, all he’s left behind are a series of images with accompanying captions, ideas for separate picture books.

But what can a picture of a nun quietly sitting in a chair floating in a cathedral have to do with a caption that says, “THE SEVEN CHAIRS: The fifth one ended up in France?”

Enticed to come up with their own endings, readers will marvel at the mystery behind these lasting drawings and the charm of an everchanging narrative.

Caldecott medal winner Chris Van Allsburg’s call for readers to write their own stories will enthrall young minds again and again.