In his debut children's book, The Megavan, author Mark Therrien, of Coon Rapids, takes us on a journey with a young family as told through the eyes of their trusted minivan.
"So it was born out of a little bit of a dad joke," Therrien said.
Mark recalled one day being out in his garage, when the thought suddenly occurred to him just how much his family's 2011 Honda Odyssey actually does for the family.
"It's been there through it all for us,” Therrien said. “It's not really so much a minivan. it's more of a mega-van."
He wrote the story last year. It took just a month. It parallels Therrien's own family adventures, which include the birth of fraternal twins, Ryan and Reese, now age five. Along with big brother Cal, age eight.
The book was published in March and features illustrations by Kevin Cannon.
"Our kids are pictured in this book and they like seeing themselves and how Kevin drew them," Therrien said.
This past spring, Therrien read his book to students at a number schools including Sand Creek Elementary.
"When I go to schools to read it, it is the best reaction,” Therrien said. “And it just fills me with so much joy because that's why I wrote the book is for kids to enjoy it and to spread a love of reading to all kids."
For anyone who wants to go along for the ride, The Megavan can be checked out at the Anoka County Library. You can also checkout Mark's website for more information.