Chris Van Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg is the author of several stunningly beautiful (albeit kinda creepy) children’s books, including Jumanji, Zathura, The Polar Express, and The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. Van Allsburg’s black-and-white illustrations are marvels of shade and texture, beautifully suited to his weird, dreamlike stories.

Be sure to visit Mr. Van Allsburg’s website (see link below). It’s gorgeous, and if you go to his biography page there’s a very amusing story about how he lied his way into art school.

Aftertaste:
None.

Availability:
Everywhere.

Other Recommendations:
Anything by Daniel Pinkwater

Anything by David Macaulay

Website:
http://www.chrisvanallsburg.com/flash.html -