What If...

by Regina J. Williams

Seeing with a child's delightful curiosity, opens the way for many fun possibilities. "What if dogs really did grow on dogwood trees? What if butterflies could sing? What if a shooting star would fly into my pocket and bring magic to my heart forever?" You are invited to share the musings of a little boy who uses his fantastic imagination to delay bedtime as long as possible. This brilliantly illustrated story in spires readers to play creative games imagining their own what ifs...

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2001

Reviews

[Raraanir · Rating 5 out of 5]

These book are definitely amazing.

[Nicole Duncan]

Poetry-Modern Fanstasy
Beautiful illustrations that bring the repetitive poetry to life. Great for mentor text of poetry.

[Lisa Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and sweet work of fiction that is geared towards the younger child. This would be a wonderful addition to read at the "Goodnight Hour". I know I love to play the What if game with my son and his imagination runs wild with all the things he wishes he could do. The illustrations really make the words come alive. The writer and illustrators did a wonderful job of collaborating. My favorite line was "A shooting star would fly into my pocket and bring magic to my heart forever." Some of what Williams has to say is silly and some very poignant. My son adored this book!

[Shayla Bowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I vaguely remember this book from my childhood wanders through my local library. I loved this book, I kept going back to it, every visit. Then I grew up and got lost in all that middle grade fiction, and this book moved to the back of my mind, almost forgotten forever.
Yesterday, seemingly out of nowhere I remembered this book. It took me. Day to find it. You'd be amazed how many books exist with this title. I have ordered it online. I don't remember the last time I felt this excited to flick through a children's book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by a child's bedtime game with his mother, this story invites creative responses after reading. Each page illustrates a "What if?" scenario that transports us into fantastical worlds. I liked "What if all the trees would suddenly shrink until they were the size of flowers, and I could pick a bouquet just for you, Mom." The design of this book would have benefitted from a more creative team. The font is boring.

[Terry]

This is a perfect book for children who LOVE to delay going to sleep, whether it's a fear of the dark or fear of bad dreams. The images will push all of that away. This got a "this was beautiful mom" from our kiddo. See why in the full review.