I CAN BE…

Description

What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor? A politician? An airplane pilot? There are so many choices, so many types of careers you can choose from. But, did you know that what’s most important is that you be yourself, that you be awesome in anything you do? “Whatever I might someday be is going to be all up to me./ One day everyone will see the awesome me I chose to be!” It’s important to dream big and follow your dreams and remember that you are truly awesome.

Odell Staggers’ picture book story, I Can Be, is a simple little story told in rhyming verse to encourage young readers to explore all possibilities for what they want to be, but, at the same time, to remember that they should really focus on being ‘awesome.’ This is a very empowering presentation, especially poignant given the protagonist is a young girl. The author leads the young reader through a long list of possible career choices presenting the protagonist in each presentation dressed for the job being described. For example, for the pilot choice, the girl is dressed in a pilot’s uniform and for the choice of being an astronaut, she’s dressed in a spacesuit. This excellent presentation begins with: “I can be whatever I can see./ Who I want to be is all up to me.” It brings the list of possibilities full circle to complete the important point that whatever you choose to be, you must believe in yourself and be the best you can possibly be. In other words, be awesome and the world will see you as awesome, too. Beautifully told and presented. Love the illustrations. Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite. 5 Stars – Congratulations on your 5-star review!