Tap cover to enlarge

If I Built a Car

Published
Jun 2005
Main Genre
General Fiction General Fiction
Rating
Pages
32

About This Book

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.

Genres & Themes

Buy This Book

Formats & Editions

Browse the different covers, formats, and publication history for this title.

Paperback

Paperback edition cover
Paperback
Jun 2007 Puffin ISBN 0142408255
Buy

Hardcover

Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
May 2005 Dutton ISBN 0525474005
Buy
Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
Jun 2007 Perfection Learning ISBN 0756981492
Buy

eBook

eBook edition cover
eBook
May 2005 Penguin ISBN 1101653906
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
May 2005 Penguin ISBN 1101653892
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Jun 2007 Puffin ISBN B00AEBEY9I
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Feb 2020 Puffin Books ISBN B07VF1WHNM
Buy

Audio

Audio edition cover
Audible
Mar 2009 Penguin Group USA and Audible ISBN B001UL7NO4
Buy
Audio edition cover
Audible
Mar 2019 Listening Library ISBN B07M85ZQPV
Buy