When I Grow Up

Tina Louise
Abrams Books for Young Readers (2007)
ISBN 9780810939486
Reviewed by Stephanie and Parish (age 3) Rollins for Reader Views (3/07)

Tina Louise wrote “When I Grow Up” to inspire children to read and reach for their goals.  Oliver Corwin illustrated “When I Grow Up.”  There are 30 pages of bright, bold illustrations that Parish loved.  It helped that there was a lot of pink in the illustrations.

The children in “When I Grow Up” are of different colors, genders and sizes.  There are funny pictures, such as a picture of two elephants shaking trunks.  The butterfly is beautiful and caught Parish’s eye immediately. 

A few of the words are too big for beginning readers.  Words such as “architect” and “archaeologist” may be too complicated for young readers to sound out.  With a parent’s help, “When I Grow Up” will be fun for a young reader to enjoy.

“Do you like this book?”
“Yep.”  She continues to turn pages.

“Why do you like it?”
“I don’t know.  Look at this.”  She points at the two elephants shaking trunks.

“I think this has pretty pictures.  Look at the teacher.  She is wearing a beautiful dress.” 
“I want a dress like that.  Look.”  She point to the sea horse.

“That is a sea horse.  They swim with fish.  Do you see that boy on the big bird?”
“I don’t want to do that.  I would cry.”

“Do you want to keep this book or give it away?”
“I want to keep it in my room.”

We did not put it in her room.  We kept it for three days with the perpetual pile of toys that stay on the family room floor.  She did not pick it up during that time.  Isaac, my 18-month-old, looked through it many times.  I encouraged Parish to read it with me.  She never wanted to.  Regardless, this is a keeper.  It is well-written and beautifully illustrated.  Parish definitely does not lack self-confidence, but for children who need encouragement, “When I Grow Up” will encourage them to reach their goals.

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