Yay, You! : Moving Up and Moving On

by Sandra Boynton

A book for moving out, moving up, moving on.

For new graduates, or for anyone facing imminent change, here is profound insight, bold inspiration, and truly ensloxifying advice. Also an occasional hippo. No wombats.

What's more, Yay,You! will not overstress the weary mind. It's nice and short, with lots of pictures, no chapters, no index, no graphs, no study questions, and not a single Suggestion for Further Reading.

Portable, colorful, and low in saturated fats, this is truly the perfect gift for that special onwardly-mobile someone.

There are so many choices. The world is immense. Take a good look around and decide what makes sense...

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Poetry, Animals, Inspirational, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Sandra Keith Boynton is an American humorist, songwriter, director, music producer, children's author, and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated over eighty-five books for children and seven general audience books, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and seven music albums. She has also designed calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys for various companies.

Reviews

[Jeanne]

Perfect Story Time read for my kids. They love the rhythm of the text, and of course Boynton's art is comfortingly familiar as well.

I will note that this is a great gift for adults too. I plan to give copies to a cousin who is graduating high school. The story is about the daunting uncertainty of the changes that come after completing a milestone. The message is that no matter the choices you make or what you do you're enough, you're successful and great. It's a wonderful and cute way to remind someone of any age that they have value no matter what they do or don't do.

[Rachel]

Mom and dad gave me this for high school graduation- just recently rediscovered it. It's adorable and for what looks like a children's book, surprisingly comforting. Also books that encourage you to do whatever the hell you want with your life and not to "consider what's best for stability in your future" are few and far between-- there should be more of them.

[haley]

what a cute book!!! i love that this was one of my grad gifts; an adult lesson inside a kids book, kinda sums up me as a person.

[Dolly]

For those who love Oh, the Places You'll Go!, this book has a similar theme. I love Sandra Boynton's books and songs, and I was excited to read this one.

It's good, although I'm not sure it will appeal to older teens the way that the Dr. Seuss book does. I think it might appeal more to students who are moving from elementary school to middle or secondary school.

It's a fun, fast read and the cartoonish illustrations are funny and adorable.

[Rod Brown]

My daughter just graduated from high school this evening so we bought her this book. Boynton's board books were among some of the first books she experienced as an infant, so I love the symmetry. But I must say that I greatly prefer But Not the Hippopotamus.

[Shiloah]

Read to my granddaughters Aislinn and Bailey today via zoom. This one had them giggling and counting and telling me the colors.

[Adele]

We gave this to my daughter at her high school graduation because we have always been Boynton fans.

[Elizabeth]

Adorable book for any child facing a change- lovely and witty illustrations and perfect message for this time of year!

[Kate M. Colby]

Jack borrowed this book from the Canal Winchester library. I don’t remember what day we read it now. It was a while ago and I missed logging it.

Long story short, it is really meant to be a present for someone who is graduating or moving into an exciting new phase of their life. It’s not really for reading to little kids for fun. So, he didn’t really connect with it. But it’s a fine book for what it is actually meant to be.

[Sarah]

Sort of an updated "Oh the places you'll go." It is fun, and another option for the graduating senior who likes picture books. Maybe a good choice for someone graduating with an MLIS in YS, or an elementary school teacher.

[sabrina]

This was my graduation book :)

[Shane]

My copy had some additional words of wisdom which added to the value of this picture book on graduation day.

[Tyler Mower]

This book speaks to me personally. It stands as a reminder that there are so many great things out there, that we are all unique, that progression in life by means of the way we progress is good, that there is no true sense of “normal” because we all bring our individuality to the table. We might have similar interests, desires, or needs but the equation of our life is our own.

I think this book has a superb lesson for children. Seek to achieve things, but those achievements are simply a stepping stone in our journey of life. Make sure to enjoy the path along the way and share your gifts, talents, and abilities with others. Don’t get caught up in comparisons or adhering to the norm. Be you and make the world a better place in only the way you can.

I recommend this book to everyone!

[Rose Rosetree]

My first thought: God help the college grad who needs a kid's picture book.

But now I'll get past the first two pages....

Okay, usually I find Sandra Boynton's books (for adults) to be sweetly cheering. Unfortunately, this one seemed thin: like a bunch o' cliches, and written for EVERYONE.

While in my experience, the best picture books (for readers of any age) read like they're written for YOU. You, the reader.

Because the illustrations are clever and endearing, I'll give four STARS. Yet I can tell you right now, Goodreaders, I'll never give this book to anyone.

[Jennifer]

A much simpler version but with the same message as Seuss's Oh, the Places You'll Go, this has awesome Sandra Boynton illustrations. The story line is simple enough that it's probably more appropriate for an elementary or middle school grad than high school, but the sentiment is nice. It's perfect for a Boynton fan who's graduating or has accomplished something big and is moving on to something new.

[Jessica]

I like Sandra Boynton enough, but I felt this book was trite. You don't know if someone will be great at something. Not everybody is great at everything. Sometimes it takes people a while to figure out what they are good at. But also I just found myself asking, "What's the point?" If you don't have a higher power, if you don't love your love serving God and others, then what's the point? This book just kind of seemed to send the message of "do what's best for you."

[Kelly Wickham]

Such a great book about being the person you want to be. Each and every one of us is different and enjoys different things and different ways of being. "Is your mind moved by science? Or does art move your soul?" Each of us has different dreams and desires.
I gave this book to Analiz when she graduated from preschool. I am unsure how, but it is still pristine with our note from her preschool graduation at the front. It is bittersweet, to think that she will be graduating from college this June. I am going to write another note on it and give it to her again for her college graduation. Yay! Her!

[Emi Yoshida]

We read Boynton books to our twins when they were babies and toddlers, and now they're 18 and graduating high school and moving abroad for four years of university. This book makes the perfect graduation card holder, if you're emotional and want to maximize your bawling-your-face-off potential. The world was so lucky to have Sandra Boynton in it, even if it was for far too brief a time.

[Mikaela Fu]

This book helps talk about the changes that might occur in life, how things will occur and how to overcome these changes.

Lexile Measures- AD460L
Guided Reading- M

Six Traits plus One- Presentation and Word Choice

[Dave]

If you're following my book list you'll notice a theme. I loved this book for many many reasons..but the biggest reason is by admitting whatever you do..you will be okay. Sometimes we get wrapped up in bureaucracy/red tape we forget to "Just be ourselves".

[Meredith]

Having achieved a major accomplishment, a bear is asked to ponder what comes next and what he wants from life.

While small children may appreciate the affirmations, the concept of this book will probably go over their heads.

[Donna Mork]

After you make that big achievement, what do you do next? The world is big and there are lots of choices. Hot, cold, fast, slow. There's no hurry to decide.

[Ryan]

Time to celebrate You. Find what you want to do in life and run with it. Have fun. The message is nice, and the rhymes flow well, but this is not one of Boynton’s best books.

[Susana]

I love all of her books! This one is so great because it's a greeting card that's a whole book! I'm going to buy this for my graduates!

[Karissa]

Great kids book. Perfect reminder for any adult too.

[Miss Sarah]

A great leaving one phase of your life for another liek going off to college book. elementary and up

[Becca]

So appropriate as I--with both joy and sadness--face retirement from the school library.

[Christine Grant]

Countdown to Kindergarten: Letter Y.

Great book for what it was intended...graduates, but not so much for Storytime. It had two Ys in the title, what can I say?

[Kourtney]

The words made me teary while reading to my little girl, so cute!! Then I realized this is the same author as Snuggle Puppy which we just read the other day! Looking forward to more by Sandra.

[Scotland Hinds]

I felt inspired as an adult. May need to buy it and read it every so often