Whatever You Grow Up to Be

June 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-Parents, especially first-time moms, will get the most from reading or sharing this story with lively and sweet illustrations that capture a mother's pride as she sees her son through the precious moments of childhood, adolescence, and the transition to adulthood. ("God has plans, can't wait to see, /"Whatever you grow up to be.") Life offers many paths to take, and the boy's juvenile dreams of being a prince, a football player, or a rock star eventually give way to graduating college, becoming a businessman, and then marrying and having a family of his own. Narrating in rhyming verse, the mother pledges support no matter which direction he chooses to pursue and revels in the wonder of possibilities-artist, doctor, chef, astronaut, and farmer among them-now ahead for her grandchild. Appropriately toned scripture quotations caption each scene, further supporting the overall reassuring message of tenderness and joy from one generation to another.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
A mother enumerates the many things her son might grow up to be: firefighter, football player, husband, and father. Creativity is lacking--in the saccharine rhyming text, the selection of careers, and the schmaltzy illustrations. The boy, readers are meant to understand, will follow God's plan, as described by the Bible verses printed in small type below the main text.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)