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If I Built a Car

by Chris Van Dusen Publisher: DUTTON

Critically Recognized

A car designed by imagination

Regular price $18.74 USD
Regular price $31.24 USD Sale price $18.74 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Award recognition

    Winner of the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award

    The metadata identifies this book as the winner of the award.

  • Critical praise

    Praised by Publishers Weekly for its energetic verse and artwork

    Publishers Weekly praises the book’s verse and artwork, calling the story a joy ride.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A car designed by imagination

A ride in his dad’s car prompts Jack to picture a vehicle of his own, then spend the night refining the design before showing it off. His imagined car combines practical novelties—a snack bar and a robot chauffeur—with a pool, scented exhaust, and journeys that range from underwater to above the traffic. The book brings its transportation theme into the realm of inventive play, with illustrations described as drawing on classic American automobiles. Its premise gives young readers plenty of concrete details to notice and imagine for themselves.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 interested in cars and vehicles.
  • Young readers who enjoy imaginative inventions and make-believe journeys.
  • Families looking for a read-aloud centered on a child’s daydream.

Themes

Imagination and inventionCars and transportationChildhood daydreams

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

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.
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Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
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Olivia

Smooth.