I Can Be Anything! (Beginner Books)

A shape-shifting lizard becomes anything he wants in this funny—and empowering—Beginner Book by award-winning illustrator Bob Staake!

The giant lizard star of Bob Staake's Beginner Book Can You See Me? is back—and this time, instead of changing colors, he's changing shapes. (Very un-lizard-like shapes, including a robot on a dairy cow, a surfboard for a whale, and a one-eyed, green-headed monster!) What's more, Staake's charming lizard shares an empowering "You can do it!" message with young readers.

Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children ages 3–7.

Bob Staake's 2006 Golden Book The Red Lemon was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year. His 2008 Golden Book The Donut Chef received glowing reviews from The Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly. In addition to his work with Random House, Bob's titles include Mary Had a Little Lamp (Bloomsbury), Look! A Book! (Little Brown), and Cars, Galore (Candlewick). Outside of his work in children's publishing, Bob's illustrations have also been seen on several popular New Yorker covers, including the 11/17/08 "Reflection" cover that is officially the most popular New Yorker cover of all time. In 2008, Bob was the recipient of Time magazine's 2008 Best Magazine Cover award.