Chris Van Allsburg writes great stories that always make you think. He was born June 18, 1949. In his biographical sketch Mr. Van Allsburg says that he loves to think about puzzling things and his stories often have puzzles and mysteries in them.
The first book of Mr. Van Allsburg that I read was The Stranger. I did not figure out the mystery in that one until the very end. I love mysteries. His books are interesting to adults because they include puzzles that are difficult and require thinking.
Mr. Van Allsburg was an accomplished sculptor before he became an author. So like all true artists he was used to planning, problem-solving, and thinking of "what's possible?"
Here are some sites to puzzle you:
Preschoolers: Otto Club
Older Kids: Try some games to stretch your thinking! Make up your own games and puzzles and post them at Cyberkids!
Look at some Puzzling Art by a mathematician named Escher.
Here is a second Escher Site from a commercial company with great thinking games!.
After trying out these sites maybe you will think of a puzzling story to write.
Here is more information on Mr. Van Allsburg.
Here are books by Chris Van Allsburg
