The 24th annual Maggie Trafton Authors For Young Readers presentation will feature an author talk with Maine native Chris Van Dusen from 4-5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the Androscoggin Community Room (ground floor) of the Auburn Public Library.

Chris Van Dusen Submitted photo

Van Dusen will discuss his career in the publishing industry, specifically publishing children’s books. He will read one of his many beloved picture books to the audience before explaining his method of writing and illustrating. Following the reading Mr. Van Dusen will have a Q&A session with the audience and sign copies of his works.

Van Dusen was born in Portland in 1960 and raised in the area. During his childhood, he and his brothers loved to draw during their free time. His imagination and love for children’s books grew when he was introduced to Dr. Seuss’s rhythm text and Robert McClosky’s artwork. After graduating from college, he did freelance illustrations before focusing on publishing children’s books. His first picture book was published in 2000 when we wrote and illustrated “Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee.”

After that, Chris’s journey of becoming an author launched and he won the 2006 E.B. White Read Outloud Award for his well-acclaimed picture book, “If I Built a Car.” You can find more of his illustrations in books written by other famous authors, such as Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series.

This program is best suited for families who have children ages 6 to 16 and no registration is required.

The Auburn Public Library enriches literacy for all readers and helps bring inclusion to the community. For more information, visit auburnpubliclibrary.org.