I WILL ALWAYS BE…

Performer, innovator, painter—this kid does it all.

The child dances onto the school bus, invents a beach-cleanup tool, writes poetry, and explores a range of other activities with smiling confidence. The young narrator has yet to master each skill, but no matter—this little one is eager to grow, practice, try, and create. Written in four-line stanzas, the rhymes scan consistently with an energetic, singsong rhythm perfect for storytime. Readers’ voices will build in speed as they race through descriptions of the child’s passions: “With stickers, scissors, cardboard, cotton, / pom-poms, paper, glue. / deconstruct and re-create; / imagine something new.” The meter changes at the end of each segment, though, as readers must slow down to consider the future: “The galleries don’t know me…yet. / (Perhaps one day. We’ll see!) / But still, I know, no matter what, I will always be… // an artist!” In each instance, the child’s identity is clearly separate from the occupation in question: The protagonist is a dancer, inventor, artist, scientist, writer, athlete, and baker because these skills bring joy, and joy is worth cultivating, regardless of the child’s professional future. Featuring a combination of ink drawing and photo collage, Bell’s digital illustrations capture the narrator’s exuberance; the full-bleed spreads brim with motion, texture, and excitement. The protagonist has chin-length black hair and tan skin; background characters are diverse.

An inspiring, affirming call to follow your heart.