I Am Me!

Brandenberg, Alexa

ISBN 10: 0152009744 ISBN 13: 9780152009748

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books, 1996

Synopsis

Nine children dream about their future careers, among them the little girl who bandages a wounded doll and aspires to become a doctor and the child in the sandbox who plans to be an archaeologist.

About this title

Reviews

PreSchool-An excellent offering for toddlers. Starting with "When I grow up I want to be..." the book lists several occupations, each pictured simply and clearly with children illustrating the professions, one per page. The text then continues: "But for now I am ME, and I will..." and the children are shown in play activities that relate to what they eventually hope to be. For example, the librarian-to-be is reading a book, the archaeologist is digging in a sand pile, etc. The book is printed on stiff white pages suitable for small hands, and each illustration is squarely framed by brightly colored lines. Cheerful and useful for the very young.
Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Every archeologist started out as a child who loved to dig, and a penchant for baking may presage a career as a chef, proposes this simple book. Following the statement "When I grow up I want to be," a succession of career-clad children form a portrait gallery of potential professions: fireman, carpenter, ballerina, librarian, doctor, etc. Then the focus changes to the present, and spreads show children climbing, hammering, dancing, reading and bandaging a teddy bear. Most of Brandenberg's (A Fun Weekend) smiling, doll-like children gaze out from the pages in standing, frontal poses, changing mainly in hair and skin color, and, of course, attire. With the round-faced, wide-eyed figures and pared-down compositions, the art bears more than a casual resemblance to the work of Brandenberg's mother, Aliki (see Hello! Good-bye!, reviewed below), implying yet another factor in choosing a career. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Children who love to dream about what they'll be when they grow up will like meeting this racially diverse group of preschool boys and girls in Brandenberg's first book, as they each imagine nine different vocations--including fireman, carpenter, librarian, and chef. Back in the present, each child practices a skill related to his or her dream job. The would-be fireman climbs, the carpenter hammers, the librarian reads, and the chef bakes cookies. Simple full-color illustrations of children in action and a spare text in large type make this a perfect introduction to the subject for very small children. All the daydreams fly in the face of gender stereotypes, making Brandenberg's book rudimentary, but effective. (Picture book. 2-6) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152009744
• ISBN 13: 9780152009748
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1