Award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Chris Van Dusen will read his latest book to Alexandria kids next week.
Van Dusen will read from his book, “If I Built a Town,” to students at Cora Kelly School for Science, Math, and Technology (3600 Commonwealth Avenue) on October 15. Inspire Lit and Old Town Books sponsor the 9 a.m. event and is part of Van Dusen’s book tour.
“A typical school presentation lasts about 50 minutes, but the time flies by,” Van Dusen says on his website, adding that the experience is best for kids in grades 2 -4. “It’s fun, fast-paced, and filled with visuals. I try to involve the kids as much as possible by asking them questions, quizzing them on techniques, or sharing funny, personal stories. We usually end up laughing and having a good time.”
In the book, the protagonist Jack tells the mayor of his community what kind of town he would like to build. The book is the fifth of Van Dusen’s “If I Built” series, and he won an E.B. White Read-Aloud Award for his “If I Built a Car” in 2006, and a NEIBA Children’s Book Award for “If I Built a House” in 2013.
Van Dusen lives in Maine with his wife and son, and credits Dr. Seuss and Robert McCloskey as his literary heroes.
