The Wonderful Things You Will Be

The New York Times bestseller that celebrates the dreams, acceptance, and love that parents have for their children . . . now and forever! 

 

From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin's rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, and sometimes humorous, illustrations, and a clever gatefold with kids in costumes, this is a book grown-ups will love reading over and over to kids both young and old. A great gift for any occasion, but a special stand-out for baby showers, birthdays, and graduation. The Wonderful Things You Will Be has a loving and truthful message that will endure for lifetimes.

Age Range: 3 - 7 years

Grade Level: Preschool - 2

Lexile Measure: AD460L (What's this?)

Hardcover: 36 pages

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (August 25, 2015)

Language: English

Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 0.4 x 10.3 inches

Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces

From School Library Journal

PreS Childhood is a time full of potential, and Martin celebrates this promise in this work. The general premise of Dr. Seuss's classic, Oh, The Places You'll Go is pared down to elegant simplicity. "Will you stand up for good/By saving the day?/Or play a song only you/Know how to play?" While the rhyming text falters a bit in spots, the word choice overall is spare, inspiring, and accessible to preschoolers. Children are encouraged to be kind, clever, and bold, to take care of the small, and to help things grow. Martin's oil paintings have the same retro, mid-century feel as her other illustrations, with large-eyed children of many ethnicities playing, gardening, and sharing together. VERDICT A go-to gift for new parents, and a potential bedtime favorite for many children - Martha Link Yesowitch, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC

Reviews

“Her children are so serious… and so unflappable… that they convey not just hope for the future, but a sense of manifest destiny.” - Publishers Weekly starred review

“Sweet but not saccharine and singsong but not forced, Martin's text is one that will invite rereadings as it affirms parental wishes for children while admirably keeping child readers at its heart.”

- Kirkus starred review

"This book is adorable, very diverse, and has a nice first page where you can write the child’s name (and space for a personal note/dedication). I’ve bought it for two different kids I know. Probably best for kids over 18 months so they have the attention span to listen."

- Kirby Koo

"I love this book and the message. Every baby shower I go to I give this book as a gift. It touches on a diverse range of things your child could become in the world and that no matter what they choose, you will still love them. Highly recommend this book!!"

- A. C.

"I have prints from this artist on my daughter's nursery wall so I was excited to see that the she also made children's books. Her artwork is so dreamy and soft and the words are so sweet without being sugary. I've become such a sap lately that I can't get through this book without a wavering voice but my daughter enjoys it and I hope it becomes one of her favorites. It would make a great baby-shower gift. I find it amusing that the artist inserted one of her other books into one of the illustrations; quite meta of her!"

- Bonnie C. Baker

"I love this book! The illustrations are great and so is the message. I feel like it will be a classic. This is a book that is short enough to read to a child under 1 but it will grow with a child and be a good book to discuss with a child about their hopes and dreams."

- Tera Burke

"A beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations. It's one of my favorite books to read to my daughter."

- Gisele Lempola

"I gave it as a gift to my great niece. Since she is only a couple of months old I haven't heard her opinion. Her mom is a librrarian and loved it."

- J. H.

"I love this book. It is an automatic present to newborns who have so much potential in life. I know they'll be wonderful and want them to know it too, right from the start."

- Susan B.
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