Description

From Yamile Saied Méndez, acclaimed author of Where Are You From?, comes a stunning lyrical picture book that tells the story of one girl who is always asked a simple question: What will you be when you grow up? 

“Méndez and Alizadeh create a balance between the abstract and concrete by letting the child imagine the future but with Abuela’s guidance and support. A sweet read to share with loved ones.” —Kirkus (starred review)

“Turning a common question of childhood into a substantive quest, this imaginative set of plans will have other children charting their own course through the stars.” —School Library Journal

What will you be when you grow up?

A young girl dreams about all the endless possibilities, sparking a sense of wonder, curiosity, and growth. With her abuela’s loving guidance, she learns her potential is limitless.

Yamile Saied Méndez’s powerful, lyrical text and Kip Alizadeh’s colorful, stunning art are a radiant celebration of family, love, and community.

A Spanish-language edition, ¿Qué Serás?, is also available.

• A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year
• A Banks Street Best Children’s Books of the Year
• A Wisconsin State Reading Association’s 2022 Picture This Recommendation List

About the Author

Yamile (pronounced sha-MEE-lay) Saied Méndez has been a builder, maker, organizer, cheerleader, writer, driver, cook, learner, mentor, referee, personal assistant, psychic, stylist, designer, investigator, healer, counselor, gardener, translator, memory keeper, and above all, an asker of questions. She’s a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts and a founding member of Las Musas collective. Visit her at www.yamilesmendez.com.

Kip Alizadeh is an illustrator and visual artist. When they aren’t creating, they like to DJ, spend time with their cats, and play sports. Kip is nonbinary, queer, Iranian, and English, and lives in Northern Ireland. They have a Bachelor's degree with honors from Falmouth University and they have illustrated several picture books. Visit them at www.kipalizadeh.net.

Praise For…

“Méndez and Alizadeh create a balance between the abstract and concrete by letting the child imagine the future but with Abuela’s guidance and support. A sweet read to share with loved ones.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“This is a prayer to personal power, a license to dream big, and permission to keep moving forward, beyond proscribed or limiting roles…Turning a common question of childhood into a substantive quest, this imaginative set of plans will have other children charting their own course through the stars.” — School Library Journal