Fire Relief

 

As bush fires rage throughout Australia and news feeds take us live into the tragedy unfolding, its heartbreak and suffering, be mindful of protecting children from the trauma of these scenes.  And yourself too.   Those affected will need very sensitive care for a very long time to come – and this is already happening through the heartening swell of human kindness that has emerged in response to this tragic time.   Keep safe.

There is strength, comfort and hope in art and stories ….

 

These beautiful image are from a book called ‘The Mysteries of Harris Burdick’ by Chris Van Allsburg.  The artist has never been found, nor the stories he wrote about the 14 beautiful drawings (with titles only).  They were published as a collection of drawings in the hope that children will be inspired by them – and write their own stories.

Introduction of book reads …’Thirty years ago a man called at Peter Wender’s office (who worked for a children’s book publisher), introducing himself as Harris Burdick.  Mr Burdick explained that he had written fourteen stories and had drawn many pictures for each one.  He’d brought with him just one drawing from each story, to see if Wenders liked his work.  Peter Wenders was fascinated by the drawings.  He told Burdick he would like to read the stories that went with them as soon as possible.  The artist agreed to bring the stories the next morning.  He left the fourteen drawings with Wenders.  But he did not return the next day.  Or the day after that.  Harris Burdick was never heard from again.   To this day Harris Burdick remains a complete mystery.  His disappearance is not the only mystery left behind.  What were the stories that went with these drawings?’