The Wonderful Things You Will Be

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The wealth of possibilities contained within even the tiniest child is the subject of Martin's ( Day Dreamers) love letter from parent to offspring: "When you were too small/ To tell me hello,/ I knew you were someone/ I wanted to know." This potential can be seen in everything children do, from working in a garden ("Will you learn what it means/ To help things to grow?") to bandaging a toy bear. The book concludes with a double gatefold, drawn as a proscenium-style curtain, that reveals a group of eccentrically costumed children (a robot, a pencil, a log) to represent the idea of becoming " anybody/ That you'd like to be." Martin's characters generally exhibit a preternatural sense of self-possession, but this book's subject matter adds another layer of meaning to the poised poker faces on display. Her children are so serious (even when swinging on a swing) and so unflappable (even when tailoring a pair of pants for a squirrel) that they convey not just hope for the future, but a sense of manifest destiny. Publishers Weekly, Publishers Weekly As in the original, Chester Raccoon is nervous about attending Owl’s night school (raccoons are nocturnal). His mom kisses him on the paw and reminds him, “With a Kissing Hand… / We’ll never be apart.” The text boils the story down to its key elements, causing this version to feel rushed. Gone is the list of fun things Chester will get to do at school. Fans of the original may be disappointed that this board edition uses a different illustrator. Gibson’s work is equally sentimental, but her renderings are stiff and flat in comparison to the watercolors of Harper and Leak. Very young readers will probably not understand that Owl’s tree, filled with opossums, a squirrel, a chipmunk and others, is supposed to be a school.

From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin’s rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, and sometimes humorous, illustrations, and a clever gatefold with kids in costumes, this is a book grown-ups will love reading over and over to kids—both young and old. A great gift for any occasion, but a special stand-out for baby showers, birthdays, and graduation. The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes. My Thoughts:Emily Winfield Martin’s sweet rhymes that flow smoothly for a read-aloud type of day and her colorful adorable illustrations that perfectly match the words make this book a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.

The book conveys what is in every parent’s heart – the wish for all those limitless, wonderful possibilities for their child. It encourages kids to dream wide and dream big and dream the impossible and encourages acceptance and support from parents for those dreams. The wish that their child will shine not just in the career they chose (whatever it maybe), but also in character. The delightful rhymes and whimsical illustrations highlight the uniqueness and potential of each and every child. I love the diversity of characters in the book and also have to make a mention of that the interests and activities as well as potential jobs portrayed are so wonderfully free of stereotypes! The details in the illustrations include so many delightful surprises – great for a eye-spy activity. The little ones (and even older kids) will enjoy being read to, and will enjoy looking at the illustrations, seeing themselves in the pictures. Parents, teachers, and kids alike will treasure it for what it is – a wonderful thing! I read it as an adult interested in the craft of illustrating children’s books, but I got something rather precious from reading it myself. As I got to think about how parents raise their children and have all sorts of anticipations for their futures and caring for them to grow older and prosper, I thought of divine providence on the other hand. Though this idea is not presented at all in the book in any direct or indirect way, but I thought it’s nice to receive this sentiment from a children’s book. This sort of positive message is what should always be anticipated from a children’s book, and I loved this book mostly for its message. It’s very nostalgic like floating on a childhood cloud. Emily Winfield Martin’s delightful book dreams of what children will someday grow to be. Every child is different and completely unique. We follow beautifully illustrated children as they discover themselves. A girl might grow to be in a garage band or become an actress, while a sweet little boy could be a gardener with his friends. The next boy is a tailor for tiny animal friends, and the next girl is a toy doctor. And beyond that, we see that children are really more than just professions. Young girls and boys are shown being kind, clever and bold, loving and brave.

Doesn’t that tug at your heart-strings? Keep reading this book and your heart-strings will be constantly tugged at! It inspired the below rhyming lines (also part of my review)! The Wonderful Things You Will Be (2015) by Emily Winfield Martin is the rare picture book that truly has something for everyone. This thoughtful, quiet story imagines all of the things little ones (both babies and bigger kids) will grow up to be including creative and clever as well as brave and bold. The Wonderful Things You Will Be is a subtle, charming picture book sure to appeal to readers of all ages. A joy to read.