Adults entertain themselves by asking small children, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  Considering that most of their future jobs haven't been invented yet due to technology's constant transformations, it's unlikely that kids have any idea.  Perhaps it's the adult's latent desire to figure out what he or she really wants to be that prompts the question.

At any rate, award-winning author Jerry Spinelli turns this question on its head in this charming take on the age-old question, proving that the most fun jobs are those children can enjoy without becoming adults: mixing bowl licker, puppy-dog holder, barefooted hopper, and more. Whimsical illustrations that place the story's main character in a variety of fun environments seemlessly segue from one job to another with clever details, such as the blue grass with white flowers giving way to a snow-covered hill which holds a billboard illustration of the next job. A bunny friend with comical expressions adds another layer of interest to this concept book,and the double gatefold -- a full four pages of bright and colorful conclusion -- brings readers to the only possible conclusion: "I'm going to choose EVERY ONE!"

A delightful book for story time, this title will soon be the next "picture book for graduation gift" purchase, and is also a great gift for someone needing a lift during this economy and its depressed job market.  In the final analysis, we are not defined by our jobs, but by the joy we bring into our own lives and the lives of others.





I Can Be Anything!