Shares the positive message with children that they have a world of opportunity ahead of them.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question that we were all asked when we were children. And now, as adults, it’s something that we’ve likely asked the children in our lives. The topic of careers is one that is playfully explored in the book, Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Be? by Junia Wonders. Beautifully paced rhymes lead the story, which is actually a poem directed to the reader rather than a traditional narrative. The formatting of the text also adeptly utilizes a variety of shapes, colors and styles to provide emphasis in a manner that enhances the lively and lighthearted feel of the book. Fun and intricate drawings adorn the pages, surrounding the charming text with a dazzling array of dreamy watercoloresque images. Toward the end of the book, a plethora of careers are spotlighted, along with a challenging game based on identifying the occupations of dozens of characters depicting everything from a mechanic to a marine biologist.
Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Be is brimming with enthusiasm and optimism. Effortlessly overcoming racial and gender occupational biases, this book shares the positive message with children that they have a world of opportunity ahead of them. However, my favorite line in the story speaks of measuring your life not simply by success, saying, “It’s about courage, and it’s about love. It’s being thankful and kind and all the above.” Additionally, the rhyming text stops short of being idealistic, dignifying children with the realistic view that their future may include a few setbacks and bumps along the way. Chiara Nasi’s colorful, fanciful illustrations provide the perfect complement to Junia Wonders’ poetic voice. The artwork is so delightfully hypnotizing that it can be difficult to turn some of the pages without studying the imagery intently! Spark the imaginations of young ones by sharing with them the inspiring, aspirational message found in the captivating, perfect-for-reading-aloud children’s book, Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Be?
