cover image When I Grow Up

When I Grow Up

Tina Louise, , illus. by Oliver Corwin. . Abrams, $15.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-8109-3948-6

Making her children's book debut, Gilligan's Island alum and longtime literacy volunteer Louise suggests that readers find inspiration for future careers in the animal kingdom. The left side of each spread pays tribute to the non-human role model, while the left side presents a grownup professional in a similar situation: "If a bird can fly high in the sky," she writes, "I can be a pilot!" Unfortunately, most of the book's "If... then" examples result in more challenging leaps of logic: the idea that "If an elephant can shake hands with its trunk, I can be president of the United States" may leave even the most imaginative youngster scratching his or her head. Still, the 13 jobs highlighted here show a nice range of vocational possibilities (among them: nurse, archaeologist, fashion designer, police officer, Olympic athlete). Corwin's neon-bright, ebullient drawings emit a shiny, digital feel, and should strike the fancy of preschoolers who enjoy imaginative play. Ages 3-6. (Mar.)