Book Overview
If I built a car, it'd be totally new Here are a few of the things that I'd do. . . . Young Jack is giving an eye-opening tour of the car he'd like to build. There's a snack bar, a pool, and even a robot named Robert to act as chauffeur. With Jack's soaring imagination in the driver's seat, we're deep-sea diving one minute and flying high above traffic the next in this whimsical, tantalizing take on the car of the future. Illustrations packed with witty detail, bright colors, and chrome recall the fabulous fifties and an era of classic American automobiles. Infectious rhythm and clever invention make this wonderful read-aloud a launch pad for imaginative fun.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0525474005
ISBN13:9780525474005
Release Date:May 2005
Publisher:Dutton Books for Young Readers
Length:32 Pages
Weight:0.94 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 10.2" x 10.1"
Age Range:3 to 5 years
Grade Range:Preschool to Kindergarten
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
Best Children's Book Ever
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
This book is amazing. My 6-year-old son loves it, and my wife and I quite enjoy it too. The artwork is beautifully done, colorful, crisp, and bright. The writing is superb too -- perfect rhythm and rhyme, but not forced; I dare say it's better than Dr. Seuss. And the concept of this book really captures the imagination: this amazing car and all that it can do. One thing I especially appreciate about it is that the car does not change from page to page; it's completely self-consistent, even though each page points out some amazing new feature. I also love the front and back inside cover -- they're covered with sketches, in the front showing earlier ideas for the car that didn't make the cut, and in the back, showing the final design, like a rough blueprint. We got this book from the library, but I'll be buying a copy, and looking for other books by the same author. No other children's book has ever impressed me like this one did.
Chris Van Dusen is King
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
As a Father of two children who shares the duties of reading to my young children, great illustrations are a must. In my opinion, Chris Van Dusen is king. Maybe Big King. Or Biggest. Possibly More Biggest King! Don't forget either that the guy also writes the things too! "If I Built a Car" has some of the most imaginative illustrations I have seen in a long time. Buy this book now. Words don't describe. But the pictures will!
Love it and all his others!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Mr. Van Dusen has done it again. Just perfect. I just love all his books. When your kids want you to read the same books over and over, these are great. I don't get tired of reading them. The illustrations are wonderful. In this one, the little boy has copies of Chris Van Dusen's books in his room and you meet up with Mr. Magee and Dee while driving your car on the lake. Perfect books! I can't wait for more.
If I Built A Car
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
The book is great - each of his books is great alone, but they each get better and better. I read it to a Kindergarten class and a second grade class and they all just loved it. The rhyming words and the great illustrations caught the attention of these young kids. It inspired them all to draw and design their own cars and what their car would do. Great series of books to own. Can't wait for the next one!
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