The ABCs of What I Can Be

Product Description A fun, imaginative, and boldly illustrated book that gets kids thinking about life's possibilities. A diverse group of children play-acts grown-up occupations, some familiar and others quite far-out. Dressing up in grown-up work clothes, the children try on occupations such as astronaut, artist, archaeologist, and athlete for A and ballerina, beekeeper, biochemist, and bus driver for B to zipper maker, Zumba instructor, and zen gardener for Z. The book is imaginative and joyful and sends out wonderful messages about exploring possibilities while teaching the ABC's. From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1—This alphabet of occupations and hobbies features a diverse cast of children, depicted in appealing panels, exploring jobs spanning from artist to zumba instructor. It opens with the words "ABC, what can I be? Come along and you will see!," which sets the scene. Subsequent spreads feature two letters, each centered on a page, broken into four squares or two squares and one rectangle, with a letter in the center. Each box contains the name of an occupation and depicts two or more of the children from the initial spread involved in the occupation. The children are simply drawn, with round, oversize heads, button noses, and oval eyes. The acrylic painted color palette is saturated with bright colors, and provides an inviting air. The occupations range from the expected—doctor, firefighter scientist, teacher—to the unusual—jockey, radio host, web developer, x-ray technician—to the fanciful—hot-air-balloon pilot, kite maker, sheep shearer, zen gardener. There's really no story here, it is just an alphabetic encouragement for children to expand their ideas of what they can do in their futures, and, utilizing the diverse cast, it does so effectively. Despite a couple of poor letter choices, the most egregious being "exobiologist" for "x," which seems unnecessary, as there are three other occupations pictured, it is fairly effective and appealing. VERDICT Libraries and schools looking for distinct alphabet books, or ways to introduce various occupations will find this a pleasant addition.—Amy Lilien-Harper, Greenwich Library, CT Review "Diverse children act out 100 different careers, organized alphabetically from 'astronaut' to 'Zumba instructor' . . . Readers will love choosing their favorite." —Kirkus Reviews "This alphabet of occupations and hobbies features a diverse cast of children, depicted in appealing panels, exploring jobs spanning from artist to zumba instructor. . . . Libraries and schools looking for distinct alphabet books, or ways to introduce various occupations will find this a pleasant addition." —School Library Journal "Artist, doctor, firefighter, plumber, chef, police officer, soldier, or teacher might appear on many children's lists of potential adult jobs, but what about upholsterer, biochemist, zipper maker, mathematician, oil rigger, or yodeler? This charming occupational exploration ranges from the familiar to the fanciful (though all are actual jobs), suggesting many directions for children to consider. . . . The large variety of activities may provoke serious contemplation about future possibilities, while the funny situations on some pages keep the tone light."   —Booklist About the Author A recent Magna Cum Laude graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology, Caitlin McDonagh was a student of award-winning Holiday House author and illustrator Eric Velasquez, who has been her mentor and advocate.