2025 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL HOT OFF THE PRESS PICK
A picture book encouraging children to pursue their dream STEAM careers, full of diverse representation
I may be small, but I dream big about what I might be
My future’s bright, no end in sight, with options A to Z.
It’s never too early to ask yourself, “What will I be when I grow up?” But the reality is that many fields do not represent the wonderful diversity of our world. Helping children of all genders, races, and abilities to see themselves in a variety of professions, What Will I Be From A to Z is an introduction to STEAM fields from astronaut to zoologist. With simple rhyming text and colorful illustration from the dream team behind A Steminist Force, author Laura Carter and illustrator Anna Doherty, comes an invitation to dream big and follow your passion. Includes one page of discussion questions to help kids identify their interests and set goals.
Praise
A little girl bookends this story as she gives serious thought to the profession she wishes to pursue in her future. The author primarily focuses on STEM careers but also includes a few more traditional career options that children typically consider, such as teaching and veterinary medicine. Young readers will be introduced to careers not usually considered in childhood, such as oncologist, neurologist, urban planner, and horticulturist. These introductions provide opportunities for vocabulary building. The author has cleverly embedded each profession into a whimsical rhyme, providing a rudimentary description of the often complicated career choice. The illustrations serve to further explain the vocation and feature a diverse cast of multicultural children, both at work and at play. Backmatter includes a section that explores questions for career research. These questions may lend themselves well to a classroom research project, where students select a career from the book and use the questions to learn more about the occupation. Reading this book with children provides numerous opportunities for important discussions on various topics, whether it is at school with peers and teachers or at home with parents, siblings, or extended family.
—Children's Literature
With a simple rhyming text and colorful illustration, "What Will I Be From A to Z" invites children to dream big and follow their passion. Of special note is the inclusion of a one page listing of discussion questions to help kids identify their interests and set goals. Fun and informative, "What Will I Be From A to Z" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
—Midwest Book Review
