The ABCs of What I Can Be

September 15, 2018
Diverse children act out 100 different careers, organized alphabetically from "astronaut" to "Zumba instructor." The layout effectively uses panels to expand the sense of possibility, with, usually, four career alternatives presented per letter/page. L stands for "lawyer," "landscaper," "lifeguard," and, of course, "librarian," for instance. Just four letters--H, J, Q, and Z--are allotted only three choices each. The illustrations employee a flat, naïve perspective and include comic touches. In the P group, a "police officer" (a woman of color) is depicted eating a doughnut. To illustrate "yarn maker," a child with beige skin is wrapped up in yarn like a big spool. As two "groomers" (both children of color) trim a poodle, a cat seems ready to stick the plug for the electric clippers into an inhabited hamster ball. Most of the selections are logical, but a few stretch credulity, at least as careers, such as "yo-yo competitor" and "yodeler." There are four choices for X, but with no legend or explanation, it's up to adult caregivers to help kids understand "xerophytic gardener" and "exobiologist" (they'll probably pick up on "xylophone player" and "X-ray technician" without much difficulty). Overall, the illustrations provide the fun while the selection of jobs makes the book useful, and the vigorous eye to diversity is a real plus.Readers will love choosing their favorite, strangest, or funniest or coming up with their own quirky ideas. (Picture book. 4-8)

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December 1, 2018

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

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2018
Grades K-2 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. Eight young people, girls and boys with varying skin and hair colors and types, examine a wardrobe and a rack of hanging clothes. As they try on different attire, they move through pages featuring one letter of the alphabet and panels depicting three or four jobs that begin with the corresponding letter. Bright, flat acrylic colors are used to create illustrations that are humorous but not silly. A yarn maker appears physically wrapped up like a skein, Zen gardeners trim bonsai, and ventriloquists perform alongside lawyers, scientists, investors, and ice cream truck drivers. The large variety of activities may provoke serious contemplation about future possibilities, while the funny situations on some pages keep the tone light.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)