Just Like You

Emma Dodd's Love You Books

by Emma Dodd

A celebration of love between a bear and cub.

“When I grow up I want to be clever and funny, wild and free.” One little bear shares his hopes and dreams in this picture-book treasure from the ever-popular Emma Dodd. This line of books features rhyming text and delightful artwork that is embellished with foil throughout.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Family, Love, Fiction

24 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Emma Dodd Author/Illustrator

Emma was brought up in Guildford, Surrey, in a family of artists and from as far back as she can remember she has wanted to be an illustrator.
Emma studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central Saint Martin's School of Art and has worked extensively in advertising, editorial and book illustration.
She was nominated for the Booktrust Early Years Award in 2006 for her book "What Pet to Get" and in 2009 for "Miaow said the Cow"
Emma lives in Surrey with her husband and two children, who provide inspiration for her work, and their Jack Russel Terrier, Bart, who keeps her fit. She likes to spend any spare time in North Cornwall, surfing and walking in all weathers.

Reviews

[Dream.M · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you want to be when you grow up?

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will help little bears everywhere focus on the path ahead - very nice book for small children.

[Ailish O’Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may come as a surprise to many of you but I am illiterate. I mention this because my mom (and sometimes my dad) actually reads my books to me, which is relevant because most of Emma Dodd’s books are written in such a way that a parent is speaking to a child. My mom really connects to those ones and some of them get her quite emotional. This one was written from the perspective of the child, speaking to the parent, and for that reason it kinda didn’t hit the same. Someday though, when I actually can read, I bet my mom will really like it if I read this one to her.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The little bear cub talks about the things he wants to be and do and go when he grows up. He wants to be clever and funny, wild and free, big and strong. He wants to do things just like his mother/father… kind things, loving things. Most of all, he just wants to grow up to be himself.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful celebration about love, family and tenderness, filled with bright art and touched with gold leaf. Rhyming text will engage young children and makes this an easy choice for read alouds. Highly recommended.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple, and very sweet story of two bears - one big and one small (the relationship and sexes are never made clear, and really are not important), and the little one's list of all the things to be when he or she grows up. The ending made me say, "Awww!"

[Michelle Farella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the message of this book as it's something we should all reflect on. Focusing on HOW we want to be, not just on what we want to do, when we grow up is important.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought everything about this little book was adorable and wonderful. It was short and sweet, with a great message, and fantastic art. I loved it!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

100 books before kindergarten

[Nafiseh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"وقتي بزرگ بشم مي خوام مهربوني كنم عشق بورزم درست مثل تو ، من وقتي بزرگ بشم ميخوام همه ي اون چيزايي بشم كه باعث ميشن من خودم باشم."

شما كه توي شش سالگي از روي حصارهاي بتني اون پارك بي درخت نپريده ايد در حاليكه بابا چند قدم جلوتر توي پياده رو راه ميرفته .شما كه از روي حصار ها نپريديد و بعد با كمر محكم نخورده ايد به اون حصار بتني .شما كه بعد نفستان از درد بند نيامده .شما كه بلافاصله بلند نشده ايد و بعد هم به بابا در پياده رو ملحق نشده ايد .شما كه از درد نمرده ايد بي آنكه بروزش دهيد .شما كه حين عبور از كنار تمام پارك هاي بي درخت جهان نفستان بند نيامده از درد . شما گريستن با اين كتاب را نمي دانيد.
آخرين كتاب كودكي بود كه شنيدم.

[Miya Gaub · Rating 3 out of 5]

Often times, we talk to children about what they want to be when they grow up in regards to careers, educational wishes, or job experiences. However, it is important that students know their identity can also be who they are within their character attributes. This book encourages students to think about who they want to be as a person, like caring or wild. The book takes place in a snowy forest as a baby bear tells her mother what she wants to be when she grows up in relation to who the mother is now. Some of the characteristics are mental like “clever” and others are physical like “strong”. I respect that this author wanted to make growing up be more than a career choice, but also a building of character and relationships. I would recommend this lovely short story to children who might be thinking about their future or for kids who are thinking about being a good person (good friend, good student, etc).

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Emma Dodd’s “Love You Books,” When I Grow Up depicts a bear and its cub engaging in activities common to bears, like catching fish and traveling through the forest. The text, however, describes activities and qualities found in humans, such as “clever and funny” or “big and strong,” making the book applicable to the reader.
This sweet, rhyming text is sentimental, but not overly so, and can be enjoyed by children as well as parents. Dodd’s digital illustrations are endearing, and the slight metallic touches bring a nice textural element to the drawings. Children ages 2-5 will enjoy sharing this book with a family member who loves them.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Handsome digital illustrations with touches of foil support a message of empowerment in this small picture book. A young bear dreams of all the possibilities lying in his future and shares them with his parent. The encouraging message to be yourself fills each page of this charming title. If only we all could read and internalize books like this one, reminding ourselves that being the best YOU you can be is always the best path to take, how wonderful the world might be.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet and the parents all simultaneously went "awwwwwww." I like the illustrations and their simplicity. The babies also seemed quite drawn to them, perhaps due to the inclusion of shiny gold leaf highlights.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you're three....adorable.

[Bari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful rhyming story in which the child discovers "I want to be me".

[Tegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute, quick story. Beautiful illustrations. Like the gold worked into every scene.

[Kimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short but sweet story. Perfect for bedtime. Bright beautiful illustrations, I love Emma Dodd's books, she has lovely illustrations.

[Laura]

I love Emma Dodd. Beautiful words and artwork.

[Frances Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this sweet bok and luckily for me so does my son.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to encourage kids that there are great things you can wish to be when you grow up

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny think about the supposed aspirations of toddlers, as expressed in this book. They're likely more for the adult reader, thinking big about the young one's life, than thoughts that the child would generate. To see why I think so, keep reading this review.

"When I grow up I want to be clever and funny, wild and free."

GOODREADER, THINK ABOUT THOSE FOUR "WISHES"

They're typical of most of the wishes in this book. Can a three-year-old understand these words-and-concepts? Can an intelligent toddler understand...

* Clever. Possibly.
* Funny. Sure.
* Wild. Probably not, unless you've been reading that kid "Where the Wild Things Are." (Great book!)
* Free. Definitely not, not really.

Let's face it, many picture books are purchased or borrowed from libraries... because they appeal to adults. Not so much to the child to whom the book is read.

On behalf of certain idealistic adult readers, since I'm convinced they're the intended audience, sure. FIVE STARS.

Personally, I can assure you fellow Goodreaders, I raised a son who's now 32. Never once did I tell him in so many words what I wanted him to be.

Why do that to a new human being? Even infants are born with free will, right?

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book....just as lovely as the other books in this series but I think its told more from the child's point of view....

It talks about when they grow up they want to be big and strong and go everywhere and do and be everything that makes them, them. It also mentions wanting to grow up and do good and kind things like you.....which I think leaves it to the guardian to be the example the child is wanting in this book which of course can also be used in real life scenarios. We are examples and need to think about what kind of examples we want to be to the children we are caring for.

Beautifully done illustrations.

[Aymin Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about a child bear who is saying all the things they will be when they grow up, with the final thing being that they want to be "all the things that make me ME!" Great warming pictures with gold foiling on some pages, which makes it seem extra special.

[Lady reading under the Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

One we fondly remember having read a million times when the big kids were little. Sweet and spare, it holds up to being re-read (and re-read, and re-read...). Baby's turn now! 📚

[Guida Al·lès · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un conte escrit a partir del patró de les repeticions. Quan creixi desitjo.....

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute book in this series. M enjoyed the colorful / reflective foil that's on some pages.

[Emily Weigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all of her books. They're just so sweet.

[Chuck Beilstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous. Like a stack of sweet greeting cards.