When I Grow Up
PreSchool-Grade 1—By highlighting some amazing feats of the animal world, this picture book attempts to persuade young children that their own career potentials are limitless. "If a spider can build a beautiful web, when I grow up, I can be an architect!" Many of these comparisons miss their mark or have weak connections, such as, "If a male sea horse can give birth, I can be a magician!" or "If an elephant can shake hands with its trunk, I can be president of the United States." Flat cartoon illustrations in superbright colors on busy geometric backgrounds have a 1960s feel. Instead of working together, the loud pictures and bold statements compete with and detract from each other. While the overall message is a good one, the book itself fails to inspire.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.