Left Bank Books, in downtown Belfast, invites the public—especially those who are in pre-Kindergarten through the third or fourth grade—to meet acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Chris Van Dusen on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"Lots of laughter, story-telling, and reading out loud will be on tap at this free event," said Left Bank.

Copies of his books, including his latest, If I Built a Town, will be available for purchase and for Van Dusen to sign.

If I Built a Town is written in Van Dusen’s trademark zippy, Seussian style, according to Left Bank. The story features a young city planner named Jack who dreams big. “Jaxtown” would boast beautiful homes and free stores maintained by robots (because, why not?), a free-range zoo with kind animals, aerial walkways, and a library where “no one controls what you can or can’t read.” Jaxtown would be racially diverse, inclusive, and carbon neutral—"We’d end our reliance on foul fossil fuels/And switch to magnetic, electrified jewels.”

Jack’s enthusiasm for his namesake town is infectious: "My town will be swanky! My town will be swell! My town will be prized as the best place to dwell."

"If I Built a Town is a story-time romp readers will want to return to again and again," said Left Bank.

Other titles in Van Dusen’s best-selling If I Built series—all of which feature Jack and his limitless imagination—include If I Built a Car, which won the 2006 E.B. White Read-Aloud Award from The Association of Booksellers for Children, If I Built a House, and If I Built a School.

Van Dusen has also written and illustrated the “Mr. Magee” series of books, the best-selling Big Truck Little Island, which is based on a true story that took place on the Maine island of Vinalhaven, and Circus Ship, which is loosely based on a true event when a circus ship ran aground off the Maine coast.

"All of Van Dusen’s books showcase his captivating sense of humor, taste for adventure, lively language, and richly colored illustrations," said Left Bank.

No reservations are necessary for this special event, but if you’d like to reserve copies of any of Van Dusen’s books in advance, call (338.9009) or email info@leftbankbookshop.com. The shop is located at 109 Church Street in downtown Belfast with plenty of free parking.