Picture a Maine storyteller who turned whimsical sketches into vibrant children’s tales—meet Chris Van Dusen! Born in Portland, this author-illustrator weaves humor, adventure, and heart into picture books like The Circus Ship and If I Built a Car. His stories, brimming with retro charm and rhythmic rhyme, capture young imaginations and celebrate the magic of creativity.
From Camden’s coastal beauty, Van Dusen crafts tales that blend Maine’s landscapes with playful narratives. His gouache illustrations burst with color, drawing kids into worlds where boats get stuck in trees and circus animals charm islanders. Let’s dive into the life and legacy of this beloved storyteller!
The Making of Chris Van Dusen
Chris Van Dusen was born on St. Patrick’s Day, 1960, in Portland, Maine, where rainy days sparked his love for drawing. Alongside his four brothers, he sketched aliens, robots, and monsters, inspired by Dr. Seuss’s rhythmic words and Robert McCloskey’s detailed illustrations. Growing up near Sebago Lake, Van Dusen’s early connection to Maine’s landscapes would later shape his stories.
After earning a fine arts degree from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth in 1982, Van Dusen freelanced as an illustrator, creating art for magazines like Nickelodeon and Disney Adventures. A quirky image of a boat in a tree, paired with a rhyme about Mr. Magee, sparked his first book, Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee (2000), launching his career as a children’s author-illustrator.
Chris Van Dusen’s Unforgettable Stories
Van Dusen’s books are a delightful mix of Seussian rhyme, vibrant gouache illustrations, and Maine-inspired settings. Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee follows Mr. Magee and his dog Dee on a whimsical boat adventure, setting the tone for his playful storytelling. Its success led to sequels like A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee and Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee.
The Circus Ship (2009), loosely based on a real 1830s Maine shipwreck, is a fan favorite. When a circus ship runs aground, its animals win over a wary island community with kindness, teaching compassion through humor. If I Built a Car (2005), which won the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award, follows young Jack’s imaginative dream of a fantastical car, inspiring kids to think big. Hattie & Hudson (2017), Van Dusen’s first non-rhyming book, features a brave girl befriending a lake monster, emphasizing acceptance.
His illustrations for Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series add retro flair to the porcine heroine’s adventures. Van Dusen’s style—cartoonish yet grounded, with meticulous detail—evokes 1960s aesthetics, making his books timeless treasures for kids and parents alike.
Why Chris Van Dusen Matters
Van Dusen’s work transcends entertainment, fostering creativity and empathy in young readers. His stories, often set against Maine’s rugged coast or quiet lakes, connect children to nature and community. Exhibits like “Upon That Isle in Maine” at the Maine Maritime Museum (2025–2026) showcase his maritime-themed books, bringing characters like Hudson the lake monster to life and inspiring budding artists.
Through school visits and vibrant storytelling, Van Dusen ignites a love for reading and drawing. His awards, including the Maine Library Association’s Katahdin Award, reflect his impact on children’s literature. By blending humor with heart, he reminds us that imagination and kindness can change the world, one story at a time.
About Chris Van Dusen
- Born: March 17, 1960, in Portland, Maine
- Key Works: The Circus Ship, If I Built a Car, Hattie & Hudson, Mercy Watson series
- Awards: E.B. White Read-Aloud Award (2006), Maine Library Association’s Katahdin Award
- Fun Fact: He designed Maine’s lobster license plate!
Snag The Circus Ship or If I Built a Car and dive into Chris Van Dusen’s whimsical world of rhyme and retro charm!