If I Built a House
By Chris Van Dusen
The Story
An imaginative boy dreams up the ultimate house, sketching in a racetrack, a flying playroom, and a gigantic slide as his ideas grow wilder with every rhyme.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's already redesigning their bedroom in their head, this book hands them the blueprint paper.
- Big idea: Imagination has no floor plan — the best ideas come from asking 'what if' without limits.
- Vibes: Bouncy, bright, and buzzing with invention — retro-futuristic and endlessly hopeful.
Perfect For Kids Who
- love rhyming, read-aloud text
- enjoy inventing gadgets and fantastical machines
- like to draw or design their dream bedroom or house
- respond well to bright, retro-style illustrations
Ask Your Little Reader
- Imagination: If you built your own dream house, what would you put in it?
- Story details: Which part of Jack's house did you like best — the racetrack, the flying room, or the giant slide?
- Creative thinking: How do you think Jack came up with so many amazing ideas?
- Real-life connection: Is there a room in your house you'd like to change or make more fun?
- Art & illustration: What do you notice about the colors and shapes in the pictures of Jack's house?
