Barrington's Anika Denise will mark the release of her newest children's book "Monster Trucks" with a special after-hours party at Barrington Books on Saturday, July 16. 

Ms. Denise said the event, which will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m., will include a reading from the book, a raffle, monster dress up and photo booth, and refreshments. 

"It will be a lot of fun," said Ms. Denise.

"Monster Trucks" is Ms. Denise's fourth book and her first working with an illustrator other than her husband, Christopher Denise. Nate Wragg, who also works on character design for PIXAR and Dreamworks, illustrated "Monster Trucks."

"He's super-talented," said Ms. Denise.

Anika and Christopher Denise had previously teamed up for "Pigs Love Potatoes," "Baking Day at Grandma's" and "Bella and Stella Come Home." 

"I think he's excited for me," Ms. Denise said of her husband. "I showed it (an early draft of "Monster Trucks") to him and one of the first things he said was 'This isn't for me.'"

Ms. Denise said "Monster Trucks" is similar in many ways to her previous books. She said it is fun to read and fun for children to hear. She also loves the characters featured in the new book.

Ms. Denise said the idea for "Monster Truck" came from her cousin, whose son was "really into truck books, and really into monster books." The author said it took more than a year to finish "Monster Trucks" but is confident her cousin's son will still enjoy it. 

"I think he's been waiting for this one," she said.

Ms. Denise said the book is great for boys and girls and offers readers fun rhymes and beautiful artwork.

"I'm a believer that picture books are for all ages," she said. 

The Barrington author said she is working with her husband on a book titled "Best Part of Middle," which will be released in 2018, and is also working on a series titled "Starring Carmen," which are due out in 2017 and 2018. 

Book party details

• What: "Monster Trucks" monster bash

• When: Saturday, July 16, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• Where: Barrington Books

• RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monster-bash-book-launch-w-anika-denise-tickets-25929773651 The event is free; RSVP is appreciated but not needed for admission 

Inside the cover

A brief description of "Monster Truck": Ready, set, go! The monster truck race is on in this frightfully delightful picture book written by Anika Denise; and illustrated by Nate Wragg. Join Frankentruck, Zombie Truck, Ghost Truck, and more as they race to the finish line. But one of these trucks isn’t quite who you think. Who will win the monster truck race?