Humorous “watercolor and pencil” illustrations present children acting out in a school “musical” what they would like to be when they “grow up.” The skits, in rhyming verse, include wishes to be “king of the jungle,” a poet, a pirate, performers in a band, “sweet shop” owners, soccer players, and “a mermaid,” until the last scene in which a young boy in a frog suit freezes, stammers, and, then announces that he does not “wanna grow up!” (n.p.). Several illustrations are framed within sumptuous red stage curtains, reinforcing the effect of being present at a performance. Author received the 1999 Emil Kurt Maschler Award and the 1996 Nestlé Smarties Award Gold Prize. hc

Originally published by Walker Books Great Britain, in 2005.

Spaceman or soccer pro, candy-store owner or the queen herself — the sky's the limit when Colin McNaughton's imaginative cast of kids act out what they'd like to be when they grow up.

Sit back and enjoy the show as the inimitable Colin McNaughton stages a lively class musical all about growing up. What would you like to be when you get older? A king of the jungle or the king of rock 'n' roll? A famous poet or a pirate just like Dad ("That's my girl!")? There's no end to the possibilities — but, as this amusing presentation points out, there's also no rush to become a grownup when being a child can be so much fun!