Chris Van Dusen

Chris Van Dusen is a very popular children's author and illustrator, and Callum and Maira just love his books. In fact, we have sent a couple to Jackson as gifts as well. The "Mr Magee" series is spectacular, and the kids also love "If I Built a Car" (which is a little boy explaining to his dad what he would do to redesign cars and make them FUN) and "The Circus Ship" (which is based on a true story of a boat carrying animals for a circus...and the boat sinks...and the animals all are rescued by the island people nearby). 

We are so lucky to have such a great artist living right here in Maine--in Camden no less! Last Saturday Chris Van Dusen and Matt Tavares (see below) were at The Children's Book Cellar in Waterville...so I took Callum, Maira, and Emily (Andy and Hannah were at Karate, and Sally and Beth were running a race up in Bangor!). Van Dusen and Tavares were signing copies of books, talking to kids (and adults), and just hanging out being cool! Van Dusen has a new book out I want to get--it is a book about former President Taft, being fat, and getting stuck in the White House tub. 

I love his illustrations--so vibrant and colorful and clear. Sorry...I am not an 'art' guy and cannot think of another way to describe them...haha. Anyway, here, below, are the three kids getting some books signed with Mr. Van Dusen.....

Callum and Maira brought their "Magee" books (as well as Circus Ship) to be signed. For Magee books they have DOWN TO THE SEA with Mr Magee, A CAMPING SPREE with Mr Magee, and LEARNING TO SKI with Mr Magee.... (see the Taft/bath book in the middle of the photo on the table??)

Matt Tavares is yet another Maine treasure, and even though the kids don't have any of his books yet, they soon will! A graduate of Bates, he wrote his first book, ZACHARY'S BALL as a senior project in college. As you can see from the titles on the table, most of his books are about baseball, and the illustrations are just works of art--intricate black and white pencil drawings with lots of shading and contrast (again...I cant describe art very well!). It was great talking with Matt as well, and I look forward to buying his whole library--he has ones about Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and more....

The Children's Book Cellar is just a wonderful place right in Waterville--in an age where there are hardly ANY independent bookstores left (everyone HAS to have their Barnes and Noble and all that crap...) Ellenn works hard to keep the local flavor alive and well in Downtown Waterville. A true gem. When Callum won the Winslow Library summer reading program a couple of years ago, the prize was a gift certificate to this place.

Maira sat by the front door like this reading for probably about 20 minutes; people got a kick out of her and asked me NOT to move her....they were happy to walk around her. And, on her part, Maira was pretty much oblivious to these people.....(ps: please take note of the 'snack bag' that she has to carry around with her everywhere....she never EATS anything....she just likes to HAVE it....)