When I was a little girl I desperately wanted what all other little children want: to be a grown-up! Grown-ups get to make all the decisions, and no one can tell them what to do. Grown-ups get to decide what they want to be and so, when I expressed my desire to be a grown-up I was usually asked, "What do you want to be or do when you grow up?" My answer always depended upon what I had seen, heard, or experienced.
I loved my second grade teacher, so I thought maybe being a second grade teacher would be perfect. I was enthralled with a nurse uniform, hat, and cape and thought that being a nurse would be the best thing in the world. Movie star was a top choice as were a firefighter, candy store clerk, or baker. Fortunately, books helped bring into focus the role of grown-ups in the world and the chance to experience, through the eyes of others, what it would be like to have a particular job or profession.
Some of the best books for children about the work of grown-ups are listed in NPL's online children's catalog. When your child expresses a desire to grow up and do grown-up work, help them learn all about it through a book. Some of my favorite titles are listed. Check it out!
