What Would You Do in a Book About You?

by Jean Reidy, Joey Chou (Illustrator)

For fans of Oh, The Places You’ll Go! and The Wonderful Things You Will Be, What Would You Do in a Book About You? will empower kids to reach for their dreams. From Zolotow Honor award-winning author Jean Reidy (Truman) and illustrated by Joey Chou, this lyrical picture book has pitch-perfect rhythm and rhyme and makes for a great read-aloud.

No dream is too big or too small in this heartwarming, heart-building book about you!

So, stop. Dream. Think it through. And remember, there is so much you can do. Here is an exuberant book that asks what wonderful, endless possibilities your story and your future might hold, making YOU the author of your own powerful tale.

Perfect for a graduation, a new baby, a birthday, or any milestone in a child’s or adult’s life, this book celebrates everything you are capable of doing and becoming. For after all, the best stories are the ones that you will write . . . 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Juvenile, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2021

About the author

https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her engaging rhyming text (perfect for a read-aloud), veteran author Jean Reidy issues a series of questions to young readers to invite them to consider all the things they might do "in a book about you" - that is to say, how might they star in the story of their own lives? The possibilities range from playful ("Would you sip tea with a frog?") to profound ("You might create something that changes a mind - or makes a heart stir. You might simply be kind"). Joey Chou's colorful, lively illustrations match the expansive options offered by the text to offer an irresistible challenge to dream the life you most want to live - and then go out and make those dreams come true. Grownups: this satisfying celebration of potentiality might just start you dreaming bigger, too.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reidy lets readers imagine what their story is and will be. Colorful illustrations show a wide variety of possibilities each reader can pursue as the grow up.

[Thorny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great concept to get kids thinking about what they want their lives to look like.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son really liked the artwork, very modern. This story has a great message encouraging kids to find their own path in life and seek for what they want, to write their life story, reach for the sky, aim for the stars, etc. We really liked the positive hope this book gives the future generation of youth. "If your life were a book with pictures and pages, what would you do to be read through the ages?"

[Nancy Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Would You Do in a Book About You? encourages kids to let their imaginations run wild and set goals for themselves. Both the rhyming text and colorful illustrations are inviting and inclusive. An early spread reads, "Adventure is waiting./ So much you can do/ in this wonderful, wander-filled/ book about YOU." Among the children pictured is a merboy, with a pony-tailed girl knight on the page turn. Along with grand and fantastic deeds, Reidy acknowledges the power of small ones, such as the courage it takes to apologize and make amends for mistakes. This book is a terrific read-aloud choice. Thanks to HarperCollins for sending me an advance copy.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This action-packed, colorful picture book encourages children to consider what they might do if they were cast in a book. Spoiler Alert: Anything! You could truly write just about any book about yourself. Of course, the point is – this is exactly why we read. We pick up books to experience an assortment of activities and imagine what it’s like to be there, ourselves. This book is a fun way to celebrate reading! The artist used Photoshop to create the illustrations for this book.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!

[Amy Oberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upon receiving this book for our library's picture book collection, I was immediately drawn to the vibrant cover and title. While most of the book is told in rhyme, some stanzas don't quite "flow"/transition from one to the next for a seamless read-aloud. While the illustrations were captivating, the overall story felt trite.

Publication Date: 2021
Format: Picture book
Elements: Bold illustrations; some rhyme
Connection/Topics: "Telling your story;" metacognition

*For use with "Reading Takes You Everywhere" program/theme

[Mary N · Rating 3 out of 5]

I considered reading this book for pre-k storytime. I liked the illustrations but the text needs some editing. I wouldn't read the first page, the polar bear and walruses pages. Definitely not the "choices are endless, obstacles few". The last 8 pages are weird to read aloud too. So, at the end, nope - doesn't work for storytime.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful rhyming story, filled with joyously colorful illustrations. Kids are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild on every page when they are asked "What would you do in a book about you?" I loved that there were not only the grandiose fantasies of adventure and derring-do, but also little acts of kindness and happiness that we all can choose to do each day.

[Maeve · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unnamed narrator encourages children to think about what is unique to them as well as what would appear in a book all about them.

Yet another inspirational story that tries to emulate Oh, The Places You'll Go...this time focusing on writing your own book that stars you. The illustrations are absolutely amazing, the story...not so much.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meant to fire the imaginations of young children, this title presents many ideas of what children might be. The illustrations are bright and very colorful which also serve to fire imaginations even more. The idea is to point out some possibilities while also leading readers to the realization of boundless opportunities.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of the school year is upon us, and our growing readers are stronger writers, too! What Would You Do in a Book About You? is the perfect #kidlit to inspire a wrap-up writing project at school! Can’t wait to share this one!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming, but in a way that truly works. Representative, colorful, encouraging, and everything else a children's book should be! I could read this many times over and still notice new things about the illustrations (something adults will tell you is crucial about a picture book!).

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rhyme scheme is nice but the rhyme puts limits on the possibilities of imagining a child doing many of those adjectives. The illustrations are colorful and show lots of possible outcomes for the child to want to do and write about in their book about themselves.

[Lin Lin]

Using a beautiful poem, the illustrator and author of the book encourage children to strive for their dreams. Images of children from all backgrounds are abound in this book, perfect as a read-aloud for beginning readers.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the illustrations or the flow of the story. My daughter liked it but I don't think we're lacking on ideas of what they want to be and do. If we wanted story prompts or ideas for make believe maybe.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An appealing invitation encouraging children to dream BIG.

[Lisa D]

Loved it! Too cute! Perfect for graduation & any read aloud

[Fleur Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sweetest book--loved how the text and illustrations work so perfectly together.

Perfect for your picture book collection, or as a graduation present!

[Amy]

Lovely illustrations.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read aloud with bright engaging illustrations.
Encourages the power to dream and be who you want to be.

[Shoshana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for kids and graduates or anyone going on their next adventure!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely thoughts to think about how you would tell your own story.

[Elizabeth Hassinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be great to share with young readers before setting them off to write!

[PottWab Regional Library]

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[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are delightful

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love this book! The rhythm of the words and the illustrations, oh the illustrations! absolutely love it!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

How would you write the story of yourself? Fun. A great way to introduce writing an autobiography.

[Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyday diversity, TALK, NARRATIVE SKILLS

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute rhyming book.