Today I have a very cool series of books to tell you about. I got to read the first two in the series. It’s a series of books to help kids explore different possibilities of what they can be when they grow up.
Series description from the publisher – “Wigu’s newly released children’s book series, When I Grow Up I Want To Be…, features vocations many children dream about – a firefighter, a teacher, a soldier, a doctor – all combining engaging elements of storytelling with real world facts and information. Both educational and fun, the fully illustrated book series takes its readers on a journey of discovery, exploring how one finds their career, learns the necessary skills, and how they excel and grow within their chosen field.”
When I Grow Up I Want to be… a Teacher! – Carlee Learns a Surprising Lesson!
By Wigu Publishing
60 pages ages 8-12
Published by Wigu Publishing on February 3, 2014
Summary – Amazon’s description: “Carlee always wanted to be a teacher when she grew up, until her mother is hired as a teacher at her school! Some of her friends are even in her mother’s class. Carlee is worried. What will her friends say? Will her mother do something to embarrass her? Carlee vows never to become a teacher like her mother, but as she journeys through the first day of school with her own new teacher, Carlee makes some surprising discoveries.”
What I Thought – I like the idea of this series. I know a lot of kids who have no idea what they’d like to be when they grow up. A series like this could help kids know a little more about certain professions and see if they may be interested in doing a job like the one described in the book. In “When I Grow Up I Want to be… a Teacher! – Carlee Learns a Surprising Lesson!”, Carlee is certain she doesn’t want to be a teacher because her mom is, but throughout the story, she thinks about all kinds of things she can be when she grows up… just not a teacher. Carlee realizes she learns a lot of cool things from her teachers and her friends tell her they really like her mom as a teacher. Carlee thinks it may be a good idea to be a teacher. I think the story in this book is more of Carlee being convinced being a teacher is okay not as much of what a teacher does in their job. The book has a bunch of fact boxes about all the different jobs Carlee daydreams about – lawyer, scientist, leader… The illustrations are a mix of real-life pictures/photos and cartoon illustration. I liked the real-life illustrations mixed into the cartoon ones – it was a neat effect. I thought the cartoon illustrations were okay and went with the story well.
I think the book is a great introduction to lots of different jobs there are in the world and a good reminder of the ton of stuff that we learn from our teachers!
I give this book four out of five bookworms.
When I Grow Up I Want To Be…in the U.S. Army!: Jake Learns about the U.S. Army.
by Wigu Publishing
56 pages – ages 8-12
Published by Wigu Publishing on August 29, 2013
Summary – Amazon’s description: “When Jake’s teacher assigns a “career” project, Jake decides he wants to be a soldier in the United States Army. Jake and his father visit an Army surplus store to find items he can use to present his project. As they search the store, each item makes the history and proud spirit of the U.S. Army come to life for Jake and readers alike. Through Jake’s discoveries, readers are introduced to the history of the U.S. Army, what soldiers’ duties include, and the equipment they use.”
What I Thought – Just like “When I Grow Up I Want to be… a Teacher! – Carlee Learns a Surprising Lesson!”, this book has a mix of cartoon and real-life pictures/photos. There are also some very nice pencil sketch illustrations included that I thought were very well done. This book described a lot of what is involved with being a soldier in the US Army. It describes some of the units that a person can belong to. It talks about some of the equipment used by soldiers and the ranks a soldier can have. There is a helpful index in the back with military terms and the book is loaded with fact boxes about the Army. That is a nice addition to the book. I like that the book shows all the jobs of a soldier. It shows that the Army needs doctors, lawyers, firefighters, cooks and a lot more. I think this is a good introduction to what it is like being a soldier for kids.
I give this book five out of five bookworms!
Check out the other Wigu books in this series – and there are more to come!
To learn more about this series, please visit the Wigu publisher website by clicking HERE.
Follow Wigu on Twitter HERE.
Follow Wigu on Facebook HERE.
Check out the Marvelous Ms. Morris’ review of “When I Grow Up I Want to be… a Teacher! – Carlee Learns a Surprising Lesson!” by clicking HERE and “When I Grow Up I Want To Be…in the U.S. Army!: Jake Learns about the U.S. Army” by clicking HERE.
Thanks for reviewing these. Always on the lookout. How multicultural are they? Looks like the pictures are all Caucasian. Thanks.
The MCs are Caucasian but minorities are represented in all of the factual parts of the book. You make a good point for Wigu, maybe include some minority MCs. Thanks for your comment!
I like the multicultural aspect of Robin’s comment and I bet that will be changing. I know WIGU wants to reach all kis. Your reviews were good Erik. So, so you want o be a teacher or a firefighter? 🙂
AHK – I just realized I forgot to link to your review – I’ll add that. 🙂 Hmm I think I’d like to be an official donut taster…
Like the idea about this book. I believe kids need to explore all possibilities. Even when you think you are pursuing a degree in college at 20-21 yrs, by the time you reach 30, you find other things you are interested in due to life experiences. I laugh at my husband who still says “When I grow up I want to be..” and he’s been a pastor and therapist for 50 yrs. He has such a love for life. 🙂
🙂 My mom still says “When I grow up I want to be…” too. I think it’s good that kids think about all kinds of jobs. Thanks Mrs. Tilton!
Fantastic review! Yes siree. You are THE one! Thank you for showing me these stories. I will be recommending them and reading them too. *waves*
Thanks Ms. Campbell! 😀
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Meet New (to me) Authors Blog and commented:
Those of you with kids who don’t yet know what to be when they grow up, here’s a series of books recommended by ERIK the GREAT 😀
Thank you TSRA! 🙂
Welcome Erik 😀
The naughty part of me wants so see something like “When I Grow Up I Want to Be: A Master Criminal” or “A WalMart Greeter” or “A Barfly”.
Ahem. My apologies. I’ll see myself out.
Heh heh – my mom looked at me funny when I asked her what a barfly is. 😉 Secretly, when I grow up I am planning on taking over the world – but we super villains shouldn’t reveal our secret plans in public… oh wait…
Watch out for Vordak, Erik! MAJOR competition there! 😉
I studied under VORDAK!!! How do you think I got my evil laugh MWAH HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAaaaaaaaa
Oh, dear. I’m corrupting youth. And as for your taking over the world thing, your secret is safe with me.
Phew! Thanks Mr. Allegra! 🙂
Robin’s question is great! Do they have more unusual professions in the series too?
The publisher just commented that there are ethnically diverse MCs in some of their upcoming books and from what I understand they are going to cover all kinds of jobs. Thanks for your comment Miss Marple!
Thank you for all of your comments. This project started as a passion project for my husband and I. As we have watched our children grow (currently age ranges 6 to 16) we have watched how they always discussed what they wanted to be when they grow up when they are very young. As they have grown – it seems to us that some quit dreaming and it is not that they quit dreaming, but the question is not asked as often and they don’t have resources to explore career options as much. We are trying to fill that gap a bit by giving children an opportunity to learn more about different careers. As far as multicultural – We are completely aware of this fact and we are color blind. We realize that all children play an important role in creating the fabric of our communities, our country and society as a whole. As our series progresses, everyone will be well represented. We will also cover more unusual professions as we progress, including “Good Person”, “Green”, “World Traveler”, and so forth. We love and appreciate your feedback.
Thank you for taking the time to comment Ms. Ressler! This is a very cool idea for a series! 🙂
Sounds like the authors have a pretty good thing going! Kids are always talking about what they want to be when …
I wonder what Electra wants to be when she grows up 🙂
It’s in her cards to be a guide dog, but right now I think she’s looking at being a clown in the circus!
🙂 hee hee
I like the idea of this series, too, Erik. In fact, I wish they’d do more with making high school kids aware of the many possibilities for careers first hand. Most kids really don’t know the HUGE variety of jobs and which direction they need to go to make it happen.
You make a good point about older kids too. There are a ton of different jobs out there… sadly I don’t see an official donut taster anywhere…
Erik, with jobs for tasting dog food, I can bet there’s a job that requires tasting donuts. Just ask Dunkin’! 😉
🙂
When I grow up, I want to be a nana!
Thank you Dr. Nana! 🙂
When I grow up, I’m planning on world-domination. Maybe steal the moon once or twice Despicable-Me style, who knows?
Anyways, great review Erik!
Thanks Sam! 🙂
Looks like these are really useful concept books for young kids! 🙂
They’re awesome! 😀