Maybe You Should Fly a Jet! Maybe You Should Be a Vet!

by Theo LeSieg, Michael J. Smollin, Dr. Seuss

Suggests in rhyme a variety of occupational choices.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Poetry, Faith, School, Classics

38 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Alternate pen name for Dr. Seuss.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

The voice is pure Seuss. I didn't think the artwork was very Seuss at all. Michael Smollin didn't try to emulate Dr. Seuss at all. It feels very different. I also learned something from this book: a butterfly catcher is a Lepidopterist. I also enjoyed the mushroom grower's hat. To bad acupuncturist isn't in there. That would make a good picture. It's also too bad that people are not diverse in here.

The computer job has sure changed since this book came out. Also the gender roles are pretty static in this one too. It's totally 80s.

Still, it was dynamic and fun to read. The kids gave this 4 stars. Dr. Seuss has a gift.

I don't know why I never heard of this and now I have so better late than never.

[R · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book comprised of a rhyming list of jobs...except for three. Voice, Talker, and Bride. Judging from the picture, voice is supposed to mean singer. Talker is harder. The picture might indicate philosopher or book critic. Politician, pundit, or public speaker might work though the picture doesn't particularly support them. Bride has no excuse. Either it's indicating that you can marry rich and be a trophy wife, or you can be a professional black widow, neither of which is a particularly good message to send to children.
I also take issue that "You've got to BE someone sooner or later" and that someone must apparently be defined by your job. Apparently, the most important thing about you is what you do to pay the bills.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how all of the career options are listed for the little one to consider-- and there were some I had never even thought of! I had never considered a noodle noodler, a mystery guy, or a hammock tester as possible careers paths to think about! I thinking about looking into those options.... what possibilities I have overlooked! : )

[Shannon D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe You Should Fly a Jet is a picture book that makes children think about what they may want to do when they grow up. This is a fun book because it rhymes all the way through and has silly pictures to go along with each job. There really is no beginning, middle or end because there is no plot. The author informs us that this is a Beginner Book so the ages that this is directed towards would most likely be from three to five years old.
The artwork in this book uses bright colors and thicker lines. The pictures are cartoonish, but they depict real situations with real jobs. This is a wonderful book to help children with rhyming and seeing how words that sound alike are spelled in a similar manner in most instances. It is fun to ask the child questions about what they think they would like to do when they grow up or what they think about the jobs that are talked about in the book.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Dr Seuss in his famous rhyming way, this book introduces children a wide range of jobs that are out there that they may want one day. It's written simply, with less than 20 words per page making it easier for children to read.

Although the book is written by Dr Seuss (under the pen name "Theo LeSieg"), the illustrations are not drawn by him so are not the customary Seuss style drawings. They are drawn here by Michael J Smollin and they too are lovely; vibrant, bright and fun to look at.

[Saquib · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book remains to be my guiding force in life. It is very deep, just think about it! I read it when I need direction, or there is pressure for my life to morph into a certain way.

Most definitely, one of the Doc's best books.

If anyone has ever found out what a FOICE is, please explain. There are so many choices!

"Don't bother to pack your bags
Or your map
We won't need them where we're goin'
We're goin' where the wind is blowin'
Not knowin' where we're gonna stay"

[Hope Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of rhyming words and look-alike words. You can help kids learn how to recognize look-alike words using their prior knowledge. It can also show kids the literary technique of asking a one word question for emphasis. This book allows he children to see their parents, and their futures in the pages of the book. It lists many different careers in ALL different areas. This book can be extended by allowing to write about what they want to be a illustrate it. This will help them with their critical thinking skills as they wonder about what they might want to be.

[Josephine]

hhahahah I did read this.. heck I OWN this..

such a cute rhyming book :DD

[Jumanah Al-Jassim · Rating 1 out of 5]

What kind of a job is "A bride" ?! I was reading this to my niece and thank god that even she was shocked by this.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun rhymes, vibrant illustrations, and lots of jobs/professions mentioned make it a very fun read with the toddlers. It did a pretty good job of inciting discussion among the kiddos.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Maybe you should fly a jet! Maybe you should be a vet!” by Dr. Seuss is a book full of rhyming words that poses the question to children what do you want to be when you grow up. It list a bunch of different occupations. This book also contains look- alike words. This book can help children learn how to recognize look-alike words using their prior knowledge, like the picture if the pizza maker. This book allows children to picture their futures in the pages of the book doing different jobs. It lists many different careers in all different areas. Also like the fact that this book shows men and women doing multiple different jobs. It also says “You've got to be someone!” I think that gives children the confidence that they can be whatever they want and they will eventually be someone one day. By presenting all these different careers it opens the children's eyes to see how many different jobs or occupations there are even if some of these are made up, like hammock tester.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book that allows young children to explore various careers and let's them know they can be anything they want to be.

* Talking Points - What do you want to grow up to do? What did you want to grow up to do when you were little? What do you work at now? How does it make you feel to be a contributing member of society?

* Essential Oil Pairing Tips - Try putting on doTERRA's Brave as you read this book. It's takes courage to explore different options and to choose to do the things that you love to do.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of this book. I found another box of books from my sister tonight. This was tucked inside. I like it. The illustrations are not Seuss, just the text.

The question is what will you be/do? Then the good doctor takes through a whirlwind of occupations. I tell my students yearly that I didn't know what all the possibilities were. Had I, I may have chosen to do something different. Meteorologist and cartographer are things I would have pursued.

Nicely done!

[Vanessa Holzknecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book because it wasn't just all the typical careers or jobs, but lots of different kinds of jobs for kids to look at that they could do if they decide to. I found the bride one an odd "job" to put in there because it felt like it was hinting at marrying rich and not working. I felt like this book also did a good job of showing girls and boys they can be anything they want and that their career doesn't have to be based on their sex.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of occupations that for me reads a lot like playing a game of Old Maid (remember all the occupations and the brightly colored illustrations?)

Most professions are familiar and some have difficult names (Lepidopterist) and together they present an array of choices that's exciting and represent all types of interests.

[Austin Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend Kevin is reading a list of best children's books. I am following suite in order to discuss the books with him. By default, I give the books four-stars because they're good at what they're intended to do, which is to keep the attention of children and introduce them to literature.

Positive, and hopeful. Transgresses gender stereotypes, slightly.

[Alexis Munk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like the illustrations. They were very bland and did not use very good colors. I do think this would be a great book for career week. Some children have no idea what they want to be and I think this would be a great way to give children some ideas. It would also be a great read aloud during career week.

[Partridge Public]

LeSieg, Theo K-1st

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe i should be a writer.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

We will probably like better in a couple of years.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

i decided i would be an astronaut!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

listing all you can do

[Tyler Roman]

A great rhyming book that all children are sure to love.

[Brynja · Rating 4 out of 5]

glass blower? mushroom grower?
how about a fishbone boner?

[Slytano · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book teaches kids they can take on any vocation if they are white. Even a bride.

They may become a noodle noodler if their race is slightly ambiguous.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book for inspiring kids to think about what they would like to be when they grow up.

[Daebear · Rating 1 out of 5]

well it didn't let me read it -.-

[Katie (BooksRUs) · Rating 2 out of 5]

good book for kids about jobs

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindergarten unit: jobs/career unit

This book has many interesting jobs that are not always considered during this unit.

[Jennifer Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for rhyming and job description introductions for kids.