Author Event: Chris Van Dusen

We are over the moon to welcome Chris Van Dusen, one of our very favorite author-illustrators and undisputed master of rhyming read-alouds, to Old Town Books Junior to celebrate the launch of the newest picture book in his bestselling “If I Built” series. It has been twenty years since the publication of If I Built a Car, which later gave way to If I Built a House and If I Built a School. Now, in If I Built a Town, Jack is back, using his characteristic flair for imagination, creativity, and engineering to dream up what his ideal town would look like!

Join us under the tree for a special storytime with Chris Van Dusen, who will read if I Built a Town before getting the audience’s creative juices flowing and then taking questions. Following the 30-minute presentation, Chris will sign and personalize books. Attendees are welcome to bring their favorite books from home to be signed, and we will also have Chris’s books available for purchase (just in time for holiday gifting!).

General admission includes one hardcover copy of If I Built a Town with an option to add a companion ticket for a parent, guardian or other attendee that includes one of the other three books in the series or a second copy of the new one. Please note that all children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

About the Book:

"My town will be swanky! My town will be swell! My town will be prized as the best place to dwell," says Jack to the mayor one day as he describes his plans for improving their community.

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 most of all, wait till you see the beach!

Jack's over-the-top creativity and infectious enthusiasm will inspire budding young inventors. It's a storytime romp that you'll want to return to again and again.

About the Author:

Chris Van Dusen is the author and illustrator of many highly acclaimed picture books, including The Circus Ship and the hugely popular Mercy Watson series. The first book in this series, If I Built a Car, won the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award, and the most recent, If I Built a School, is a New York Times Bestseller. Chris and his wife have two sons and live in Camden, Maine, with their pup.

Host or Publisher Old Town Books