Chris Van Dusen – författare

WINNER OF THE E.B. WHITE READ-ALOUD AWARD • The first book in the If I Built series kicks off with a young boy’s ideal wheels, from acclaimed author and illustrator Chris Van Dusen. “Energetic verse and jubilant, action-packed artwork make this tale of a young inventor’s fantastic daydream a joy ride.”—Publishers Weekly ”My car will be cool! My car will be keen!My car will be one big fantastic machine!”Sitting in the back seat of his dad’s car, Jack begins to imagine all the ways he would improve the vehicle. After spending the night designing, tweaking, and refining, Jack is prepared to give an eye-opening tour of the car he'd like to build. For starters, there's a snack bar, a pool, and even a robot named Robert to act as chauffeur. Plus, the motor releases fragrances of blueberry muffins and roses rather than gasoline. With Jack's soaring imagination in the driver's seat, readers will be deep-sea diving one minute and flying high above traffic the next in this whimsical, tantalizing take on the car of the future. Packed with detailed illustrations recalling an era of classic American automobiles, bright colors, and an infectious rhythm, this wonderful read-aloud is a launch pad for imaginative fun.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A joyful and inventive read-aloud, part of the award-winning If I Built series! Join Jack and his larger-than-life imagination as he dreams up his ideal town, where everyone is welcome.“Sunny, inclusive, and imaginary.”—Kirkus Reviews"My town will be swanky! My town will be swell! My town will be prized as the best place to dwell!" Jack has some great ideas for improving the community he lives in. And who better to describe them to than Mayor McKay! As they walk through the park together, Jack eagerly tells the mayor his plans for improving their town.And what a town he has dreamed up! The zoo is packed with fantastic, Jurassic, and mythical creatures, the mail is delivered by super-fast hover vans, the health clinic travels right to your door, and a parade passes through each and every week. And don't forget the robots! All of Jack's plans include the most exciting and useful serving machines. But best of all, everything is free!Jack's over-the-top creativity and infectious enthusiasm will inspire budding young inventors. It's a story time romp that you'll want to return to again and again.

“The verse is sprightly, but the pictures are the true stunners.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)When a circus ship runs aground off the coast of Maine, the poor animals are left on their own, but they soon win over the wary townspeople with their kind, courageous ways. So well do the critters blend in that when the greedy circus owner returns to claim them, villagers of all species conspire to outsmart the bloated blowhard. With buoyant rhymes and brilliantly caricatured illustrations evoking the early nineteenth century, Chris Van Dusen presents a hugely entertaining tale about the bonds of community—and a hidden-pictures spread for eagle-eyed readers of all ages.

In this creative continuation of the award-winning If I Built series, Jack imagines what his ideal living situation would look like by constructing the house of his dreams. “My house will be nifty! My house will be neat!My house will stand out as the best on the street!”One day, while out in the garden with his mom, Jack decides that his house could use some exciting improvements. Like a racetrack! And a flying playroom! And maybe even a gigantic slide. Jack's limitless creativity and infectious enthusiasm will inspire budding young inventors to imagine their own fantastical designs.Complete with Chris Van Dusen's vibrant, retro illustrations and delightfully rhyming text, this joyful, imaginative read-aloud will make readers feel right at home.

With enough lunch for three, Mr. Magee and his dog Dee head out to the sea. But what begins as a fun day in the sun turns a bit bumpy when onel playful whale decides to say hello. Soon the crew that once was floating finds themselves flying! How will they get down? Who will come to their rescue? And when will they ever get to eat lunch? Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee is a great read-aloud, sure to provide fits of giggles.

Mr. Magee and his little dog Dee have yet another silly and unexpected adventure in this new addition to the popular series. Mr. Magee and Dee leave home bright and early to learn how to ski - but a run-in with a moose finds them flying through the air and suspended a hundred feet above an abyss! In the nick of time, the oblivious moose rescues the man and his dog and they return home good as new.

In this creative continuation of the award-winning If I Built series, Jack imagines what his ideal living situation would look like by constructing the house of his dreams. “My house will be nifty! My house will be neat!My house will stand out as the best on the street!”One day, while out in the garden with his mom, Jack decides that his house could use some exciting improvements. Like a racetrack! And a flying playroom! And maybe even a gigantic slide. Jack's limitless creativity and infectious enthusiasm will inspire budding young inventors to imagine their own fantastical designs.Complete with Chris Van Dusen's vibrant, retro illustrations and delightfully rhyming text, this joyful, imaginative read-aloud will make readers feel right at home.

In this exuberant addition to the award-winning If I Built series, Jack fantasizes about his dream school—from classroom to cafeteria, from library to playground! “My school will amaze you. My school will astound.By far the most fabulous school to be found!”Jack is back! And this time, his imagination takes him back to school, where he dreams up the ideal environment for him and his classmates. If Jack built a school, there would be hover desks and pop-up textbooks, skydiving wind tunnels, a trampoline basketball court in the gym, a robo-chef to serve lunch in the cafeteria, field trips to Mars, and a whole lot more.Complete with detailed, futuristic illustrations, bright colors, and an infectious rhythm, this out-of-this-world read-aloud is a master class in imaginative fun.