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ABC for Me: ABC What Can She Be?: Girls can be anything they want to be, from A to Z

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ABC What Can She Be? presents a colorful world of possibilities—from astronaut to zoologist and everything in between—for all little girls with big dreams. 
 

Not even the sky is the limit with this fun approach to learning the alphabet. In this new title from Walter Foster Jr., ABC What Can She Be?encourages young girls by presenting a colorful variety of choices for their future careers.
 
Talented illustrator Jessie Ford artfully pairs the letters of the alphabet with vibrant, eye-catching illustrations that paint an inspiring picture for budding trailblazers everywhere.

ABC What Can She Be? explores 26 different career paths. Each page introduces a letter of the alphabet with bright artwork and highlights a career that is fun, challenging, and makes a big impact in its own way.
 
A boldly illustrated, fun family read, ABC What Can She Be? is a great way for parents to introduce their small children to the bright futures before them.

36 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2018

194 people are currently reading
201 people want to read

About the author

Sugar Snap Studio

10 books6 followers
Jessie Ford, of Sugar Snap Studio, is an English illustrator, whose colourful view of the world has been brightening up people's lives for the past 17 years.

Her graphic shapes, textured layers and silhouetted figures culminate in a printed, 'hand-made' effect. With a love of all things bright, bold and graphic, Jessie's faux naive charm has been used extensively within the publishing, advertising, editorial, packaging and design sectors. Her strong and confident use of colour has won her many fans over the years.

Jessie is the one of the creators of the 'ABC For Me' range, and her children's book ‘ABC What Can She Be?’ is a worldwide bestseller.

Jessie lives by the sea in Hove, in the South of England, where she works from her seaside studio.

Follow Jessie at: www.sugarsnapstudio.co.uk
IG: @sugar_snap_studio

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5 stars
371 (67%)
4 stars
121 (21%)
3 stars
43 (7%)
2 stars
7 (1%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
Profile Image for Schizanthus Nerd.
1,317 reviews304 followers
October 12, 2018
This colourful board book goes through an alphabet of work options available for girls when they grow up. I really appreciated the diversity in this book, in the jobs explored and the girls pictured. The jobs traverse traditional male and female jobs, from pilots and teachers to yoga instructors and quantum physicists.

Because girls from around the world are represented, young girls looking through this book should be able to identify personally with at least one girl. There are girls with blonde hair, red hair and dark hair. One girl is wearing a hijab. Another is in a wheelchair. Girls are wearing dresses, skirts, pants and uniforms.

I would have liked P to be for president but the end of the book does specify that the jobs mentioned are only some of the options so I’d be adding that one if I read this to a young girl.
O is for Optometrist. She checks our eyes to make sure we see clearly.
Because this is a board book I had hoped it would be told in rhyme and was disappointed that it wasn’t. It was written in a down to earth way that makes the different jobs easy to understand but I found it a bit too matter of fact. This is the type of book I expect people would buy for a baby shower but I couldn’t imagine myself wanting to read it over and over.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster Jr. for granting my wish to read this book.
Profile Image for Donna Maguire.
4,895 reviews120 followers
April 4, 2019
This was a fab book I have a young daughter and this was a massive hit with her and me!

As a mum I loved that she can learn the alphabet and also have fun learning about the different jobs open to her when she grows up – and I really liked that they are not limited down to what used to be thought to be made or female only roles.

The images are nice, bright, sharp and clean to which makes the book attractive too and my daughter loved it and wanted it read over and over.

Five stars from me – very highly recommended!
Profile Image for Laura.
3,243 reviews102 followers
October 13, 2018
I wish I could say that this book isn’t needed anymore, that girls know they can be anything, but no, we still need to keep saying it.

And this is such a cute book. I love all the professions that are represented, from Astronaut to zoologist.





What an imaginative book to use both for learning your AB, B, Cs, as well as showing what jobs are out there than women can do.

THanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Profile Image for Carla.
7,635 reviews180 followers
November 30, 2018
This colourful board book goes through an alphabet of work options available for girls when they grow up. I loved the diversity in this book, in the jobs explored and the girls pictured. There were jobs that are considered both male and female traditional jobs. Not only that, but the girls pictured were very diverse, showing not only various nationalities, but also there is even one in a wheelchair. As one would expect, this book goes through the alphabet, choosing one profession for each letter, something girls can aspire to be. Luckily there’s enough description and artwork to show what each job entails, otherwise it would be really hard for a parent to explain. My only question is that this is a board book, yet my two year old toddler, who loves boardbooks, was not interested in this at all. It seems to be geared to older girls, perhaps once they are in kindergarten or primary grades. This is a book that young girls could pour over and then ask a lot of questions about the various occupations. The publisher, Walter Foster Jr, generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.


Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.1k reviews454 followers
October 12, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I just had to have this book when I spotted it on Netgalley, and I want to thank the publisher for granting my wish! Eep!

Review to come tomorrow.
Profile Image for Maria Andreina.
57 reviews
November 8, 2018
I'm in love with this book! As you can guess from the title, the book contains a list of professions, one for each letter of the alphabet. The book features girls with many ethnic backgrounds dreaming about a large variety of professions. It even includes additional professions in the end. It was a great surprise to see that one of the girls in on a wheel chair! I don't think you find that in many children's book.

It's such a fantastic book with beautiful illustrations! It's a MUST for every children's library (spoiler alert: it includes librarian as a profession!). The perfect way to teach kids about professions and the alphabet. Yes, I believe the book aims to empower little girls, but it is also quite informative. It presents a lot of career options and helps them learn new vocabulary.

I received an eARC of this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
Profile Image for Panda Incognito.
4,706 reviews95 followers
February 16, 2020
This alphabetical board book goes through various career options, including the traditionally female (gymnast, librarian) and the male-dominated (engineer, judge). However, I totally overthought the whole thing by comparing it to the book for boys, wondering what determined the differences and the few overlapping choices. Personally, I would have preferred a single book aimed towards boys and girls, but I can see the complications with trying to represent both genders without making it look like one job was for one and not for the other.
Profile Image for Vasanthan.
14 reviews
December 30, 2022
Simple creative illustrations make this little book so beautiful.
Profile Image for Ninjamechanic.
109 reviews13 followers
February 6, 2021
It is quite delightful to identify with four of the professions in this book. It is even better to be able to talk with Elle and Kaye about the real-life women we know who have all of these jobs.

Sadly, we do not personally know any U.N. Ambassadors. There’s still time.
33 reviews
December 7, 2021
ABC: What can she be? By Sugar Snap Studio
In this alphabet book, the reader is taken through all the things girls can be when they grow up. The book starts at the letter A and works its way to the letter Z, naming some of the most unique occupations you can think of. This book is unique because it names jobs that typically would not be thought of for young girls. Like for the letter E, the girl wants to be an engineer and build new things. Another example is for the letter N, as the girl wants to become a neurosurgeon. Additionally, the book lists occupations that are not usually viewed as conventional jobs. An example of this would be for the letter K, as the girl wants to become a keyboardist. The illustrations in the book are extremely colorfully and appeal to the eye. I think the pictures help bring creativity and imagination to the story. I particularly like how the book emphasize the word “SHE” in all capital letters and pretty colors. I think this also adds to the importance of a girl doing these jobs and it opens the possibilities for young girls to set their mind to. I really enjoyed think book because I think it is inspiring for young girls to read. Although some of these jobs are stereotyped for men, the book shows girls that they can do it too and I think that’s powerful. I would use this book in a first-grade classroom as it is never too early to introduce the power we have as women. I also think it could be extremely beneficial for boys to hear as well. Although there as some jobs that might be confusing to understand, I think the book does a great job of explaining them in simpler terms.
Profile Image for Annie.
4,725 reviews87 followers
October 13, 2018
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

ABC What Can She Be? is a new book from the ABC for me series. It's a boardbook aimed at very young children and their caregivers. Published 02 Oct 2018 by Quarto publishing imprint Walter Foster Jr., it's 36 colorful pages. Illustrated by Jessie Ford of Sugar Snap Studio, it's an alphabet book full of dreams for girls.

I liked that the book included careers with long and demanding educational paths (neurosurgeon and quantum physicist) side by side with vocational careers (mechanic and chef). The girls pictured are ethnically diverse and differently-abled.

I am an optimist and believe that someday (soon) we won't need books telling our daughters that they can choose whatever career paths they wish to pursue, but we're not there yet. This is a sweet and non-judgemental book.

The text is written in non-rhyming free verse with a one sentence explanation of what each job entails.

Thoroughly charming. I really liked it and think it would make a nice reading group selection in a classroom setting for younger kids.

Five stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Profile Image for Michael Kittrell Jr.
2 reviews
September 17, 2022
I think this is a very interesting and inspiring book for little girls. It covers lots of different types of jobs, reminding you that you can be anything you want to be because there are endless possibilities. I also like the book because it is incredibly diverse, full of bright colors to keep your little ones engaged. Mostly, I liked the book because of the creative way to teach the alphabet while giving a positive message for little girls . . . dream big.

My review partner Chloe says this is one of her favorite books. She loved learning the alphabet while pretending she is a writer. Chloe told me she would be coming out with a book of her own soon. lol. She wants to educate and entertain other children with her stories like stated in the book under W for Writer. I asked Chloe what she would give this book. She gave it two thumbs up.

9,041 reviews130 followers
October 13, 2018
A very good book – obvious, simple, but well done and not cloying. It does manage to go through the whole alphabet with every letter standing for a career a young female reader is told to aspire to (well, interior designer and hairdresser are pushing it, but I'll let it pass). But it's not just the female barrier that this tries to break down – one scientist here is wearing an Islamic-styled headscarf, and a software writer is in her wheelchair. One is even ginger. Yes, this positive affirmation that you can be anyone you want is probably unique – I for one haven't seen a similarly sexist, male-only equivalent. But letting that pass too, this is fine for the pre-school library purchaser. Good design and a sensible approach makes this book work, although some of the vocab is a bit too highly pitched.
Profile Image for Sophie Hearn.
99 reviews2 followers
July 24, 2022
A great book, ideal for a ‘when i grow up’ topic
Brilliant for discussing with children what sort of job they may want to have when they’re older while also reminding them that their possibilities are endless!
The book is a clear nod to the fact that girls can be anything they want!
Some of the jobs will be things children won’t have heard of(astrophysicist) so it provides another message that if you’re not sure what you want to be, there are thousands of jobs that you’ve never heard of! Even the adult reading won’t know of every job, it’s important to explain that there’s a job out there for everyone, if you like something and want to do that then you can!
Profile Image for Paul Franco.
1,374 reviews12 followers
November 6, 2018
As one would expect, this book goes through the alphabet, choosing one profession for each letter, something girls can aspire to be. I was greatly looking forward to what Q and X would be, but they were kinda letdowns, with the adjectives representing instead of the nouns.
Luckily there’s enough description and artwork to show what each job entails, otherwise it would be really hard for a parent to explain. There’s a good mix, though I know of at least one guitarist who’d be annoyed that she didn’t get in but the keyboardist did.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
Profile Image for Gia Bittner.
133 reviews
March 19, 2024
This is easily one of my top three favorite books in Gia’s library. It goes through 26 careers from A-Z with DARLING, brightly colored illustrations. I love that it depicts a wide variety of careers, from STEM (Astronaut, Neurosurgeon) to the arts (Keyboardist, Writer) to the trades (Chef, Hairdresser, Mechanic.) The cute girls in the illustrations are of all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities - including one who is wheelchair bound and another who wears the hijab.

There’s so much to adore here! Girls can indeed be anything.

-Mama
Profile Image for Baby Goode.
45 reviews2 followers
February 15, 2019
This is my mom and dad's favorite book so far. There are so many great things about it. The book is sturdy and well-made, and the colors and designs are great. (Daddy loves that!) It also talks about all the great things girls can be when they grow up, and shows lots of diverse characters. (Mommy loves that part!) Plus, this book teaches me the ABCs.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone! (You don't even have to be a girl to like it!)
667 reviews
November 24, 2019
A great ABC book for young girls to get ideas about what they can be when they grow up. Has some traditional professions (Librarian, Teacher), but many are positions not normally associated with women (Firefighter, Mechanic, Quantum Physicist). Various ethnicities, physical appearances, religions, and abilities are represented (except, surprisingly, girls with glasses).

My young daughter enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Sonia.
109 reviews
September 16, 2022
Esta sea probablemente la lectura más tramposa de este año. Este libro infantil no sólo ayudará a niños y niñas a aprender el abecedario sino a ver una gama amplia de profesiones, que como bien dice el libro no son las únicas.

Personalmente destacó la inclusividad de las ilustraciones en las que vemos a mujeres y niñas de diferentes religiones, razas y con diversas discapacidades. Me parece un método perfecto para que los y las pequeñines crezcan desde el respeto y la aceptación.
Profile Image for Alina.
289 reviews3 followers
November 6, 2022
Nice for girls

The illustrations are cute and the writing basic. It's a fun idea to explore jobs as an ABC book, though I don't understand why there has to be a boy jobs and girl jobs book when either sex can do all of the jobs. I get the idea to emphasize that there are preconceptions but there could be a more impactful way of executing that concept.

I checked this out on a whim but it's not something I'd spend money on.
Profile Image for Andreea.
1,850 reviews62 followers
December 2, 2018
I was sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A great picture book to inspire little girls that they can be anything they want to be! I know some might say this book is not necessary, but I think it is and I think it's great and inspiring! The illustrations are lovely too and I want to try a few of the jobs now too.
Profile Image for sweet orange books.
669 reviews8 followers
April 17, 2023
A great book to empower girls to choose the career they want, and to realize that their choices are infinite. The characters look strong, confident and in control of their skills. The text explaining each job is simple and clear. The illustrations are lovely, colorful and most importantly, represents many women of color! This is a necessary book and a great buy for any children, boys and girls alike, to reduce gender stereotypes.

Thank you NetGalley and Walter Foster Jr for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Read and reviewed: 2018-11-04
Profile Image for Amanda.
209 reviews7 followers
October 19, 2018
Definitely a board book I'll be getting for any future nieces or daughters of mine! Loved the diversity of the girls and careers pictured. Beautiful, bright, and fun!

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
Profile Image for Shimista.
373 reviews
December 23, 2018
So good. The variety of options for careers/jobs and how inclusive the pictured girls are!! From ability to skin colour. Inclusive feminist young children's book at its best #IWishIHadThisWhenIWasYounger
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,416 reviews8 followers
September 26, 2019
I love this alphabet book that shows different career options for girls. Science, art, yoga instructor....Great illustrations, diverse characters. This one is probably going to end up in my bookshelf.
Profile Image for Ereni.
20 reviews
August 25, 2021
Love the exposure for my daughters to see the various career paths available to them. Beautifully illustrated. Gave it to my 5 year old and she loves it! Expanding her vocabulary as she reviews her ABCs.
2 reviews
December 14, 2021
Representation Matters!

Great book overall. I love how inclusive and diverse it was. I read it for my 10-month-old and will continue to read it to her in the future. Thank you for a great read and I look forward to reading more from this author(s).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews

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