  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 09/01/2018 PreS-Gr 2—Television talk show personality Chen and acclaimed illustrator Goode team up to create a picture book celebration of one boy's lofty aspirations about growing up—always with the loving support of his mother. Is he destined to be funny or smart? Live near or far? Become a teacher and let dogs come to school or be mayor and have kids run the town? One thing is assured by his loving mom: he can achieve whatever he dreams as she faithfully accompanies him along the journey. Some of the phrases are endearingly poetic: "Will I be a baker and make the world a sweeter place to live? Will I be a painter and make the world more beautiful?" Yet the top-notch illustrations often outshine the words. The notion of living near or far, for example, is captured with smiley-faced, squat houses holding hands, followed by the same two houses spaced from top-to-bottom along different parts of a globe. Goode's unique interpretation of each line is gracefully imaginative. On almost every page, his mother is there encouraging him, the most inspiring image of her holding onto a thin, threadbare rope while son climbs the precipice of a cliff to reach her. The accompanying words are "Will I be a climber and reach the mountaintops?" VERDICT A worthwhile read-aloud for parent and child to share as they reflect upon the future together that is even suitable at bedtime. A poignant celebration of how moms can help their children in the search for self-discovery.—Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 10/15/2018 Lighthearted watercolor illustrations from Caldecott Honor Book artist Goode offer some amusing answers to a child‘s universal question: “Mom, when I grow up, what do you think I will be?” “Funny or smart? A baker? An artist? A writer?” Things get a little crazy when he suggests that, if he’s mayor, he’ll let the kids run the town, or allow all the dogs to come to school. Each imaginative page expresses positive messages: a desire to make the world sweeter, more beautiful, and lovely. Detailed pictures are fun-loving: his cake has both foxes and frogs circling the tiers, dogs fly paper airplanes, unicorns jump over hot-air balloons, sunflowers smile, rocket ships zoom, and grinning treehouses touch the sky. Children will enjoy finding the lively dachshund that accompanies the boy everywhere as they sail sky-high on a dragon, whiz along on a flying carpet, or plant a garden. The whimsical pictures fill every page with happiness and variety as Chen presents exuberant ideas for the big dreams and wishes of childhood. - Copyright 2018 Booklist. Loading...
 |