“Glorious illustrations and a simply wonderful story of a young girl asking her abuela what she will be when she grows up. A gentle, yet powerful story and a perfect graduation gift!”
— Kathleen Carey, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY
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 Kate Alizadeh’s colorful, stunning art are a radiant celebration of family, love, and community.
A Spanish-language edition, ¿Qué Serás?, is also available.
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.
Kate Alizadeh is a British-Iranian illustrator who lives in Northern Ireland with their wife and two mischievous cats. They have a bachelor’s degree with honors from Falmouth University, and they have illustrated several picture books. Visit them at www.katealizadeh.net.
“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
140 Kentucky Street
707-762-0563
click for hours & info
140 Kentucky Street
707-782-0228
click for hours & info
138 N.Main Street
707-823-2618
click for hours & info
(Montgomery Village)
775 Village Court
707-293-2109
707-578-8938
click for hours & info
104 Matheson Street
707-433-9270
click for hours & info
1300 First Street,
Suite 398
707-252-8002
click for hours & info
1330 Lincoln Street
707-942-1616
click for hours & info
1200 4th Street
415-524-2800
click for hours & info
999 Grant Avenue
Suite 105
415-763-3052
click for hours & info