Book Reviews by Carrie Ann – When I’m Big List of Books
This is always a fun topic that kids have. They can’t wait until they grow up and know they can do so much more!
Now that September is here, kids are getting ready to return to school (some may already have started). Along with learning to read and write, kids will be imagining, discovering, and playing with the world around them. And even at a young age, kids start to think about what they want to be when they grow up. They practice being artists and constructions workers; pretending to be doctors and teachers; they try their hand at taking care of babies (dolls). So when your child returns home from his adventures at school, full of dreams and big ideas of what he wants to be when he grows up (or he decides he’s not ready to grow up yet), here are a few books you can enjoy together.
When I Grow Up
written and illustrated by Colin McNaughton
published by Candlewick Press
picture book (age 3-6)
An elementary school class puts on a play with each child dressed in a costume depicting what they want to be when they grow up. But when one little boy cries that he’s not ready to grow up, the teacher reassures him that he has lots of time to enjoy his childhood. Children will delight in the rhyming text as the classroom kids parade on stage in both realistic and imaginary career choices.
What do you want to be, Brian?
written by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Mary Rees
published by Anderson Press
picture book (age 4-8)
The author asks the question ‘What do you want to be?’ to a young Brian, but his mom answers before Brian gets a chance to respond. From a violinist to a boxer to an artist, everyone in Brian’s family has an idea what Brian should be when he grows up. But when a stranger, a door-to-door salesman, suggests Brian wants to be a politician, Brian puts an end to everyone’s guessing. A nice twist on a traditional story line, with adults describing their wishes. But Brian has the ultimate say.
When I Grow Up
written by Jo S. Kittinger, illustrated by Margeaux Lucas
published by Children’s Press
a rookie reader (level A, age 4-8)
A young girl daydreams about all the amazing things she can be when she grows up: singer, firefighter, even the President. But for today she just wants to play. As part of the Rookie Reader series, the book is great for beginner readers with simple text on the left-hand side and a complimentary image, showing the little girl in her dream job, on the right-hand side. The back of the book also contains the story word list.
Mrs. Mordecai says
I just wanted to thank you for all your wonderful ideas, especially your letters of the week. I’m using your ideas along with a few of my own with my three-year-old, and we’re loving it!