The newest addition to Chris Van Dusen’s beloved If I Built… series, If I Built a Town, has finally arrived—and it’s every bit as imaginative and joyful as the others! In this month’s Series Spotlight, I’m diving into Van Dusen’s world of big ideas, bold colors, and endless creativity.
This is the first post in a new series on my blog where I’ll highlight favorite children’s book series—perfect for families, librarians, and educators looking for creative reads to share with kids.
About the Series
In each If I Built… book, a curious and creative kid dreams up his own version of something ordinary—a house, a car, a school, and now, a town! Told in playful rhyme and paired with Van Dusen’s vibrant retro-style illustrations, these stories celebrate imagination, problem-solving, and innovation.
Van Dusen’s distinctive style—bold lines, bright colors, and mid-century flair—makes each spread feel dynamic and full of motion. Kids will love poring over every inventive detail, while adults will appreciate the clever rhymes and nostalgic design. They are fun and creative and each one will get kids coming up with their own ideas.
Books in the Series
- If I Built a Car (2005) – A young inventor reimagines the ultimate dream car, filled with gadgets and surprises.
- If I Built a House (2012) – A house like no other, with a racetrack room, underwater aquarium, and anti-gravity space.
- If I Built a School (2019) – A creative twist on the classic school day, complete with hover desks and robot helpers.
- If I Built a Town (2025) – The newest installment expands the imaginative fun to an entire community, bursting with color, energy, and endless possibilities.
Why I Love This Series
The If I Built… books capture everything I love about picture books: rhythm, imagination, and joy. The rhyming text makes them a delight to read aloud—kids can’t help but join in—and the illustrations are so detailed that you notice something new every time. Each story invites readers to dream big and think creatively.
They’re also the perfect addition to STEAM learning! The creativity and ingenuity that fill these stories connect beautifully to engineering and design thinking. I love pairing them with building materials like magnetic tiles, KEVA planks, or LEGO bricks, or setting out paper and shapes so kids can design their own house, car, or town. These open-ended activities help extend the story beyond the book and into hands-on exploration.
Read-Alikes and Pairings
If your readers love Chris Van Dusen’s blend of rhyme and imagination, try these read-alikes:
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
- What If…? by Samantha Berger
- Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
If you want more ideas for how to incorporate the If I Built series into a storytime, see this post!
Final Thoughts
Chris Van Dusen’s If I Built… books are timeless read-alouds that celebrate imagination, creativity, and invention. Whether you’re reading at bedtime, in storytime, or in a classroom makerspace, they’ll inspire kids to dream big and build something amazing.
Make sure to come back for my next Series Spotlight, where I’ll feature another standout children’s book series to add to your shelves!