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by Melissa B. Kruger

Tells children that whatever they do and wherever they go, your greatest aspiration is that they will love and follow Jesus.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Christian, Christianity, Faith, Kids, Nonfiction

24 pages, Hardcover

Published June 12, 2022

About the author

Melissa Kruger teaches women at Uptown Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and at conferences around the country. She regularly writes articles for the Gospel Coalition and Christianity.com, and she is the author of The Envy of Eve. Melissa’s most cherished roles include being a wife to Mike, president of Reformed Theological Seminary–Charlotte, and a mother to her three children, Emma, John, and Kate.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will be requested over and over again once a child has been introduced to it. The illustrations are colorful, engaging, and representative of a wide range of people groups. The narrative encourages kids to dream big, but reminds them that their true identity -- the one that will last -- is in Jesus. Pitch perfect and one I will heartily recommend to family, friends, and library patrons.

Thank you to The Good Book Company and to Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Matthew Manchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUMMARY

"Whatever you do, wherever you start, I pray you love Jesus with all of your heart."

A lovely book discussing kids' possible future occupations, while talking about what is supreme whatever you do: loving God.

THE GOOD

This is a very sweet book and is exactly the kind of book I've been looking for this past month. My children really liked this book. Reading this book will help stregnthen your child's confidence in who they are and who loves them.

Also, the art is super cute and really adds to the story.

THE CHALLENGES

None.

CONCLUSION

Buy it. The Good Book Company is really nailing all their kid resources. I would love to see this book become a series of sorts. While this book is a general overview of life (in ways), I think there are other subjects that could use a focus on it like this; a "Here, this is important, and THIS is SUPREMELY important." We need more both/and resources in the Reformed world and I was happy to see that here.

Five stars of excellence!

----------------------------------

2nd (documented) read-through review --

I don't expect any more children's books this year so I'll go ahead and state it: THIS IS MY FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF 2020. Period. Hands down. Clear winner.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging children to dream about what they will one day do in life, is part of nurturing them to become who God made them to be. Wherever you go, I want you to Know by Melissa Kruger is a fun children's book that helps kids see the biggest thing God wants for us.

Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know is also a fun book to read aloud with the whole family. The rhyming and rhythm of this book is wonderful--words just roll off of your tongue in perfect cadence. It also covers quite a variety of occupations that children might do one day from becoming a chef or a farmer to being a teacher or a doctor. I like how she reminds children that the most important thing that they can do is follow Jesus along with whatever else they choose to do in life. It is a fun book with a solid Christian message. At the same time, it comes across as naturally a part of life and isn't preachy at all. And the accompanying art on the pages is so vibrant and cute. It all works together to create a book that I would highly recommend to any Christian family with young children.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I love you SO MUCH, I want you to know, I'm cheering you on, WHEREVER you go."

Written with shades of Dr. Seuss-like lyrics, "Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know" is a creative display of universal dreams and aspirations that all parents prevail on behalf of their children, concluding with, "And, WHATEVER you do, WHEREVER you start, I pray you love JESUS with ALL of your heart".

A book meant to be treasured, appreciated, shared . . . . . . and then read . . . . over and over and over again!

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I pray you love Jesus with all of your heart.”

7/10/22 Read with Charlotte
4/2/23 Read with my preschool class
8/13/23 Read with my preschool class
1/14/24 Read with my preschool class

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just arrived in the mail. What a delightful children’s book. It’s got a Places You’ll Go (Dr. Seuss) feel but ends with loving Jesus with all your heart. Spoiler alert...I will now be giving this as a baby gift to new parents!

[Josiah Bolding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids loved it in Nursery today

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2/20/2025 - I thought the “I want you to know part” would be something about wanting your kid to pursue their dreams in life and do whatever job that makes them happy.

Nope, it’s Jesus. Nothing in the illustrations or text in the pages leading up to the reveal to suggest this was religious. No crosses, Bibles, or churches that I could see. Just kinda came out of nowhere.

We’re a pretty non-religious family, so I try to pick more secular books. But it was easy enough to substitute phrases. Like saying you can trust in mom and dad and talk to us.

[RT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children’s book is absolutely phenomenal. It’s short, pithy, clear, and has the beloved rhyming any reader would find joyful.
Aside from the common aspects that accompany a well written children’s book, this book concludes with every Christian parent’s heart and desire for their children—to know, love, and serve Christ above all.

[Renee Masterson Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many voices speaking into our children’s lives, so many messages and cultural narratives they will hear over the years. There is one thing I want my children to know as an over arching reality in their lives—it’s that King Jesus offers salvation from sin, death, and themselves. I want my kids to love Jesus with all their heart.

Melissa Kruger has written a fun, poetic, and timeless book. This is a great resource for starting gospel conversations with your children in a natural and casual way. This is the Christian equivalent to Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, The Places You Go” except in this book, the readers are left with the hope of Jesus. In “Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know...”, kids can imagine themselves as what they want to be when they grow up, understand that life presents unique challenges, that not every day is a happy one, and most importantly, are confronted with the gospel. This is all spoken through the voice of a nurturing parent/guardian-child relationship.

This would make a fantastic book for a new Christian, a graduation present, grandchildren, a baby shower, or a “just because” gift. This is sure to be a well-loved and cherished book.

“Whatever you do, wherever you start, I pray you love Jesus with all of your heart.”

#readRENEEread

[Rohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great illustrations of lots of families, with lots of easter eggs to find.

Loved the summary of all the good things about God and Jesus too.

And all the different things you can do in life, but all for Jesus.

[Whitney Saxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book!

[sincerely · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST HAVE! This is the Christian version of "Oh the Places You'll Go," and it is a delight.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a sweet Dr Suess-type vibe, it brings a great message for little ones.

[Salvador Vivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este librito debería ser un regalo de sus papás a sus hijos obligatorio. Expresa muy bien el deseo de padres genuinamente cristianos, centrados en la gloria de Dios

[Katy Bosch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever you do,
Wherever you start,
I pray you love Jesus
With all of your heart ♥️

[Grant Hohlbein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book we always buy for baby showers. Cream of the crop!

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christian book in the spirit of Dr. Seuss. A very simple premise highlighting a parents loving prayer for their child - whatever you do with your life love Jesus. Fun poem with playful illustrations.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step aside, Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go!! This precious book with whimsical rhyme and rock solid truth will be a favorite for parents and children. Just try to read this to your children without getting a little teary. 😉
I know what we will be gifting friends for birthdays, baby showers, and preK/Kindergarten graduations in the future!

[Abby Brubaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When do you get to add a children’s book to your “read” books? When you memorize it from repetitive requested reading? For real though, love this book.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know is a book about a parent's desire for their child to know and love Jesus, no matter what they do when they grow up. I haven't read the original version, so I can't compare this abridged and simplified board book to it, but the board book feels complete, without anything missing in the text or illustrations. The book is simple and has a repetitive refrain, introducing various career opportunities, who Jesus is, and why it is so important to know him. The illustrations by Isobel Lundie are cute and diverse, showing boys and girls with different skin tones exploring future careers and spending time with their parents.

I was curious what the author removed from the board book version, so I read some reviews of the full-length book. As I expected, the original book included additional occupations, but it also talked about dealing with difficulty and suffering in the course of life. This board book does not mention anything about life setbacks or sadness, and just focuses on hope for the future and Jesus's love for the child. Personally, I think it's best to give children a vocabulary for sadness early on in a safe and loving way, but I can see how this would be an easy thing to drop for the sake of lightness and brevity.

I would recommend this book for families, churches, and Christian schools. Although the author primarily designed this for a parent to read with their child, the book never identifies the first-person adult voice in the text, and any adult can read this to children they care about. This book is suitable for small hands and makes a nice read-aloud, with rhythmic and sweet text. This would be a great gift for baby showers, christenings or baby dedications, and first birthdays.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from The Good Book Company through Edelweiss+.
Has a Dr. Seuss Oh the Places You'll Go feel. The parent shares all the amazing things that could happen as their child grows - the wonders, joys and sorrows to come. They then share the most amazing thing they want their child to understand - Jesus loves them. Above all, this is the most important thing to remember in life.
Clever and amusing illustrations.

[Lydia Rufus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, rhyming and quirky! A fun take on a Dr Seuss book - it points kids (and adults) to Christ and reminds us that loving Him is the most important thing we can do with our lives. Gave it to my two almost-nieces and looking forward to reading it with them many times.

[Bisan · Rating 2 out of 5]

oh- can't believe i didn't see that coming-

[Lauren DuPrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know is the first children's book by author, Bible teacher, and mother, Melissa Kruger. As her children were growing older, Melissa wondered if she had taught them the most important thing that they would need to know in life - ultimately, that there is hope for salvation in Jesus Christ. To ensure that she did, she penned the poem that became this book. This book is a fun way of allowing parents to communicate the same truth to their children. Wherever You Go, I Want you to Know is a fun read akin to Dr. Seuss's beloved classic, Oh, the Places You'll Go! I love that it makes explaining important truths very simple. My four-year-old really enjoyed this story and reading it to her brought tears to my eyes because I share Melissa's desire for my children to love Jesus. After reading the book for the first time, my four-year-old spent some time examining the lively illustrations and I could tell she was captivated by them. The book also served as a fun conversation starter as I asked her what she would like to be when she grows up! It was fun to learn that she wants to be someone who travels. I hadn't heard her express that before so I appreciate how the book was a catalyst for that conversation. I appreciate that Wherever You Go is gentle in communicating hard truths about life. A few lines about this are, "The world's a big place full of good things and bad. Adventures await you, some happy some sad. Sometimes you'll lose or come in last place. Sometimes you'll win with a smile on your face." Our family really enjoys reading this fun book and we hope to read more from Melissa in the future!

[Jennifer Delamarter]

Have you ever read Dr. Seuss? Most of us have probably read at least one of his lyrical books. For Christmas last year, my little sister gave me this wonderful little book that is like Dr. Seuss, only better. While the cheery, poetic lines sound like the doctor’s work, “Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know…” rejects the quiet racism sometimes found in Dr. Seuss’ books and instead embraces diversity. Cascading through the pages are musical lines telling children of different skin colors that “You may fall in love. Or fall out of a plane. Enjoy sunny skies. Or dance in the rain.” The book tells children all the fun different things they may do and experience in their lives and of the hopes we grownups have for them. Its crescendo keeps growing and growing as it builds toward “something exciting, something supreme. It’s my greatest of hopes- My dream of all dreams.” And then the climax, the dream in our aching hearts.

“I love you so much. I want you to know… I’m cheering you on wherever you go. And, whatever you do, wherever you start, I pray you love Jesus with all of your heart.”

I love this book. If I had had it when I was a nanny, I would have read it to my little ones all the time. I only hope they learn to love Jesus with all of their hearts, and I hope your little ones do too.

[Robert Dunn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Life = Career + Jesus. This is not a great book.

However, as far as I can tell, this was essentially Kruger trying to Christianize Dr. Seuss (Oh the Places You'll Go). And so, I think, the way the book feels in the end is an unintentional byproduct of that, and not a purposeful message.

That said, here's my critique: in our society, we tell kids that they can do anything and go anywhere, as long as they believe in themselves. And it will be fun and cool, and they'll change the world while they are at it. "No," says Ecclesiastes. But many believers pick up the modern message and run with it anyway. And this book doesn't so much push the modern message as it assumes it and then tacks Jesus onto the end.

So - I'm sure unintentionally - the book's message is, "Life is all about finding a cool, self-fulfilling career. Just make sure you add Jesus." I'd rather a book that whimsically portrays Christian enjoyment of life amid the realities of a sin-cursed and thus futile world (Ecclesiastes). But such a book would have to begin with Solomon, not Dr. Seuss.

Two notes: First, I really like the Krugers in general; this is not meant as a critique of all they do for the church! Second, this is specifically about the board book edition, which is what we have.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a new parent, I’ve wondered about the most important things I want my children to know. As a Christian, it is clear to me that there is no one more important than Jesus.

Rhyming Words and Vibrant Illustrations

Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know by Melissa B Kruger & Isobel Lundie is the perfect book to help me share with my children that what I want most for them is to love and follow Jesus.

With rhyming words and vibrant illustrations, Kruger and Lundie have crafted a book that you will want to read and your children will want to see. The 24 pages read quickly, but your children might want you to stop to see the colorful art.

A Simple Book with a Profound Message

This is a great book to read nightly with your children. But it even makes for the perfect gift to give as they grow up and graduate. This book is a beautiful way to make memories, and the simple truth that Jesus is supremely valuable will be cherished in their lives.

I received a media copy of Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know and this is my honest review.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book that dreams with children of all the places they could go, things they could do, but what the narrator's biggest dream is that they would know Jesus deeply.

I really like this one. There are several books out there that express these hopes and dreams for kids, and are often given out at graduations. This is the first one I've seen from a Christian perspective, that really gets to the heart of what is most important when they are grown. The rhyme is well done, and the illustrations lend a note of humor to the book so it doesn't feel overly sappy. I also like that the list of possible occupations included are a bit different from the average book of this kind including farming and building houses along with doctor and teacher and pilot. Highly recommended for Christian families and schools.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

With engaging and fun illustrations, this delightful book invites your young child to wonder and dream of what his or her future might hold. It includes the recurring lines, “Whatever you do, / Wherever you go, / I have a big dream / I want you to know.” which finally culminate in “I pray you love Jesus / With all / of your heart. / Whatever you do, / That’s the right place to start.” Ages 5-6. The size, format, and overall content of the book remind me of the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Only this book puts the emphasis rightly on following King Jesus wholeheartedly in all of life.