When You Grow Up [Hardcover]

Lennie Goodings (Author), Jenny Jones (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

A young bear isn't sure what he wants to be when he grows up, but one thing is for certain, he wants to live with his mom. As the two of them think up all the possibilities-will he be a pilot, a sheriff, a cowboy, or even a soccer star?-Zachary knows that whatever he becomes, he will always come back to live with Mom. Maybe someday you'll even be a daddy, his mom cleverly suggests. I might, says Zachary, "and then we'll all live next door to you!" Adorably illustrated in soft, warm colors, this gentle story is perfect for reading aloud as you snuggle up with your favorite little cub.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jones's beguiling bears, composed of seemingly hundreds of tiny brush strokes, outshine the text in this otherwise lackluster British import about a child contemplating his future. When Zachary's mother prods him to think about what he might be when he grows up a cowboy, farmer, pilot the fellow always ends his musings with the refrain, "and then I'll come back and live with you." But when his mother suggests that some day Zachary might "be a daddy and have a little cub just like you," Zachary decides that he and his family will live next door. Goodings does not make clear why the cub's consideration of being a father allows him to imagine himself as an independent adult and, unfortunately, most of the occupations his mother suggests are macho. The unconvincing dialogue underscores these stereotypes: when his mother suggests that he could be a famous soccer star, Zachary responds, "Oh, yes!... I will score all the goals and be a hero!"; "Oooh!" says his mother, contemplating her son wearing a sheriff's "shiny star and a big hat." Jones's warm and fuzzy bruins, on the other hand, exude a universal warmth and comfort. However, the artwork also reflects a time when unhurried mothers wore granny aprons and shawls. To modern families, the book's nostalgic village life may seem quaintly antiquated. Ages 2-6.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-In this charmingly illustrated picture book, a mother bear and her cub are speculating about what Zachary will do when he grows up. He says he's going to live with his Mom, and she wisely says that's okay, but gives him lots of opportunity to see that he might want his own home. She suggests that Zachary may be a soccer star or a farmer or a cowboy but at the end of each reflection he stands firm, insisting that whatever he does, he will come back and live with her. Finally, she suggests he might grow up and be a daddy, with a cub of his own. At this point, Zachary considers the possibility and says, "we'll all live next door to you!" The pictures are soft and warm, perfectly matching the gentle story. Each two-page spread is full of details, showing a cozy home and the pastoral English countryside and a variety of animals dotting the landscape. A lovely one-on-one story for parents and children to share.

JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803726775
• ISBN-13: 978-0803726772
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,932,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, wonderful drawings and gentle whimsy, August 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: When You Grow Up (Hardcover)

Zachary is quite definite that when he grows up he wants to live with his mother - but what if he decides to have a career or start a family? His mother poses many questions but Zachary refuses to consider any other kind of living arrangement - until a surprise twist at book's end. Warm, wonderful drawings and gentle whimsy.

4.0 out of 5 stars My son loves it!, April 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: When You Grow Up (Hardcover)

'When you grow up' is a wonderful book which my young son very much enjoyed. The book gave him a cozy feeling and it encouraged him to think about what it might mean to grow up while keeping the love of his parents. The illustrations are warm and greatly complement the the simple but engaging dialogue. I can strongly recommend this book to parents for their children.