No Author I can think of has captured the imagination of young readers quite like Chris Van Allsburg.  His stories are multi-layered, fantastic voyages that not only amaze but also leave an ever-lasting impression and a life time fan of everyone who opens one of his books.  I was first introduced to him in the 5th grade when my teacher Mrs. Weiler read us The Widows Broom.  If you’ve never heard of that book – get to your library as soon as you can and check that book out!  I use the Mysteries of Harris Burdick in my Children’s Workshop because - not only am I a fan – but also, it captures children’s minds with just a quick glimpse.  The last workshop I did, in Whitman, the children created a story about a pumpkin that came from a pumpkin patch that smelled of sweaty socks.  I love the portfolio edition of this book – it allows people to handle each page or, in the case of a classroom, it allows each student to take a page in different areas of the room to create their own fantastic voyage – inspired by Allsburg himself!