If I Built a Car
Written and Illustrated by: Chris Van Dusen
Recommended for ages 4 and up
Puffin Books $8.99

The sign of a fantastic book in our house is when the boys like it so much they want to use their own money to buy it. Such was the case, when I read to them this newest book by the creator of Camping Spree with Mr. Magee and Down to the Sea With Mr. Magee.

While driving along in the family car (an old Cadillac), young Jack tells his father that their car is nice but just not what he would have planned for a car. Working through the night, using books and model cars as references, he uses his vivid imagination to create the car of his dreams. The retractable wings, hidden swimming pool and instant snack bar that dispenses aerosol cheese are just a few of the features of this spectacular automobile. For those of us of a certain age, Jack’s car reverberates a Jetson-esque feel. At one point, the car transforms into a catamaran where it sails along the lake and nearly crashes into Mr. Magee and his little dog, Dee (familiar faces from Van Dusen’s previously published books). As Walt Disney once said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” This is just what children will be inspired to do upon reading this gem. In fact, soon after finishing this story, our six-year-old, Daniel was already planning how he would build the ‘car of his dreams’ with his Lego.

The delightful illustrations coupled with the rhyming text make this story a joy to read over and over again (which is bound to happen in our home…).

This story was first published as a hardcover in 2005 but is now widely available as a paperback.