Thank you, Kirkus, for reviewing my book. Being a first-timer, I really didn‘t know what to expect. It has been a bit of a nerve-wracking wait. But, I am grateful for the review. Here‘s the full Kirkus review for those of you who are interested. Also, if you click on the book cover above, it will take you straight to the Kirkus review on their website.
Have You Ever Wondered What You Will Be? By Junia Wonders, Illustrated by Chiara Nasi
“Four children follow their dreams of future professions in this rhyming picture book.
Kids are frequently asked what they want to be when they grow up. Wonders’ inquisitive narrator asks the pictured children: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?” In Nasi’s creative, painterly illustrations, the four kids—all with different skin tones and features—face reflections of imagined careers as a chef, inventor, pilot, and artist. In the following pages, their dreams help them to see future possibilities: They are small, but shine brightly; with determination, they will reach their goals; and despite setbacks, they will get up and move forward. The author’s rhymes scan well throughout, and the sometimes-challenging vocabulary (freewheeling, thespian) makes this a good choice for independent readers looking to stretch their skills. Nasi’s watercolors, with inventive landscapes and backgrounds for the four children, are captivating and will invite young readers to inspect each page for details. Wonders’ rhyming list of possible professions is accompanied by the four main kids and several others sporting various costumes or holding props to signify each job (with no gender bias in the occupations). The images are repeated in the end pages with a guessing game for readers to figure out which youngsters have dreamed each career.
A whimsical, engaging, beautifully illustrated celebration of imagining the future—obstacles and all.“ –Kirkus Reviews