  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 12/01/2018 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 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 12/15/2018 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. - Copyright 2018 Booklist. Loading...
 |