ABC What Can He Be?: Boys Can Be Anything They Want to Be From A to Z

by Sugar Snap Studio, Jessie Ford

ABC What Can He Be? presents a wonderful world full of possibilities—from Astronaut to Zoo Veterinarian and everything in between. 

Whether they're fascinated by construction sites, fire trucks, teaching, dancing, music, books, or any other thing, boys can grow up to be whatever they want! ABC What Can He Be? presents a whole alphabet full of exciting, thoughtful, and wonderful things boys can do, including environmental engineering, fashion design, carpentry, quantum physics, and yoga instruction. This book shows that there are no limits to what boys can pursue.

Talented illustrator Jessie Ford of Sugar Snap Studio pairs engaging, inspiring illustrations with 26 different career possibilities and empowering text, highlighting careers that are fun, challenging, and impactful. Young readers will learn their ABCs and discover a world of possibility open for their future through this fun family read.

With endearing illustrations and mindful concepts, the ABC for Me series pairs each letter of the alphabet with words that promote big dreams and healthy living.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

36 pages, Board Book

First published September 3, 2019

About the author

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

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought upon seeing this was along the lines of, "Why do boys need a book telling them they can be anything they want? Society already tells them that from the moment they're born!" But it's actually not quite that simple, and as I read through this book and saw some of the careers within, I started to understand why a book like this is needed.

Why not just make it an ABC of what all kids can do? Because our society has so clearly divided everything into "boy stuff" and "girl stuff", many of the careers in this book would be discounted as being just for girls. So the choice to have this book focused solely on boys makes sense. (In case you're wondering, there is a version for girls that was published last year.)

I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of careers in here. The author even managed to tie it to the alphabet theme without getting tripped up on letters like Q and X (Quantum Physicist and Xenobiologist, respectively). There are plenty of non-traditional careers for boys here; they can be a Ballet Dancer, a Fashion Designer, or a Nurse. They can also be an Environmental Engineer, a Horse Trainer, or a Welder. Basically, boys can be anything they can think of.

The illustrations are pretty cute, and the text is done quite well. This would be a good book for opening boys' eyes to the possibilities of all the things they might do with their lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Walter Foster Jr for providing a digital ARC.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

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, I didn't show her that the book was aimed at boys as I think the book had the right idea in showing that jobs can be for any gender.

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!

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

ABC book about jobs/careers that HE (why just He and no She...) can do when he will get older. Well done nothing bad about it, but just not outstanding enough to make it noticeable in the massive amounts of ABC books!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Boys can be anything they want to be, from A to Z is a fun and colorful ABC book with a variety of future occupations for boys. This is a companion book to ABC What Can She Be which I reviewed a while ago. Due out 03 Sept 2019 by Quarto publishing on their Walter Foster Jr. imprint, it's 36 pages and will be available in ebook and board book formats. It's appealingly llustrated by Jessie Ford of Sugar Snap Studio.

I liked that the book included careers with long and demanding educational paths (xenobiologist and quantum physicist) side by side with vocational careers (carpenter and horse trainer). The boys pictured are ethnically diverse and differently-abled. There is some overlap in both books (quantum physicist, astronaut, engineer, teacher, and yoga instructor, which is neat).

I am an optimist and believe that someday (soon) we won't need books telling our children 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

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a companion book to "ABC What Can She Be?" This colourful board book goes through an alphabet of work options available for boys when they grow up. I loved the diversity in this book, in the jobs explored and the boys pictured. There were jobs that are considered female traditional jobs, depicted with males in the roles. Not only that, but the boys 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. This is a board book, but I think it is geared to primary aged children as they talk about community helpers and jobs. This is a book that would evoke a lot of questions about various jobs and perhaps even some further reading and research. Some of the jobs are not well known and young children would probably not know what several of them are. Having said that, the illustrations and short text does give hints and further information about the jobs. Overall, a nice, little book, but I think it would have a better audience in primary classrooms rather than with toddlers. 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.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This alphabetical board book goes through various career options, including basics like "carpenter" and more unique options like "urban planner." The author also includes traditionally female jobs, such as nursing and fashion design, and sends the message that boys can do anything they want. I appreciate this, because the surplus of recent girl-focused career books means that there aren't many career books at the library that are designed with male readers in mind.

Still, I would prefer a book geared towards all children, rather than separate books for boys and girls. I see the complications with trying to present boys and girls equally instead of distinguishing jobs based on which gender happens to be pictured on that page, but reading this book with the companion book for girls made me overthink the whole thing, wondering what thought process went into selecting which jobs for which gender, despite how neutral and inclusive the author tried to be.

On another note, this book also includes very unfamiliar jobs, such as "xenobiologist." Spell-check doesn't even recognize that word, so I doubt that your local toddler will grasp what this means! Even though I wouldn't discourage anyone from using this or the companion book as a resource, both of them could have been better.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The illustrations are bright and appealing, while also showing diversity. Boys will find that they can be whatever they dream of: just a few examples from the alphabet: Ballet Dancer for B, Horse Trainer for H, Marine Biologist for M, Urban Planner for U and so much more. The fields cover such a wide range, everything from lawyer to fashion designer. This book belongs in a spot where children can see and enjoy it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bennett Dedmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transcribed by “The Father”

Thank you Monica for my book! I really liked learning about all the cool things I can be when I grow up! From Astronaut to Zoologist!

I think I’m leaning towards Xenobiologist at the moment, but mom and dad did just watch Alien Earth with me recently so that may have influenced me.

Can’t wait to see what I grow up to be!

Drank my bottle throughout the whole story, one spit up, two burps, one yawn, and then I shit my onesie.

Five stars!!

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many excellent vocations here, but the book also encourages children to get involved in the performing arts. 😓

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boys dreams can come true and they can choose to be anything they want to be. This fun ABC board book highlights some of those possibilities. This is a companion book to "ABC What Can She Be?" The author skillfully guides the reader through the alphabet showcasing diverse career choices for boys such as: an astronaut, environment engineer, geologist, jet pilot, karate instructor, nurse, quantum physicist, singer, urban planner and video game designer just to cite a few. The boys are depicted from different nationalities and one is in a wheelchair. The author's mission for inclusiveness is much appreciated I'm sure.

This book will spark a lot of conversations concerning different job choices and the pathway one needs to take to achieve that job. This would be a great asset in a classroom or school library. Further research could happen and it would be a perfect book to have discussions about community helpers.

The illustrations are colourful and empower the text to embolden boys to choose the career of their own personal choice. The book gently challenges boys to follow their dreams wherever they may lead. I highly recommend this book. It's very relevant for today.

[TheBookPrivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you want to be when you grow up ? A question that every child is asked whilst growing up ?
As parents we want them to be whatever they wish to be. But do they really know what all they can be when they grow up ?
Introduce your little one to “ABC what he can be” or the “ABC what she can be “ which has listed ABCs of varied professions and a brief description into what each profession is.
Let the curious minds devour on the endless options given, while they also get to learn something about each profession. Truly the possibilities are endless
.
The thing I liked the most about the book is each profession is painted in a positive light and also teaches readers how each profession helps the society with their service.
Illustrator Jessie Ford has also made sure that every child is represented for through her illustrations, which is amazing !

[Victoria B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great ABC book for young boys to get ideas about what they can be when they grow up. Has some traditional professions (Carpenter, Lawyer, Welder), but many are positions not normally associated with men (Ballet Dancer, Fashion Designer, Nurse). Various ethnicities, physical appearances, religions, and abilities are represented (except boys with glasses).

Was glad they included a few "blue collar" positions that many parents don't usually encourage.

My young daughter enjoyed reading/looking at this book. (There's a complimentary book for girls, too, and some of the positions overlap, including Astronauts, Quantum Physicist, Teacher, and Yoga Instructor.)

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Walter Foster, Jr. for and early copy ABC for Me: ABC What Can He Be? By Jessie Ford. This was a cute book of possible professions. There was a great range of possibilities from Astronaut to Ballet Dancer to Police Officer to Singer, and so on. Each job comes with a fun one sentence description of what each job entails. The pages are very colorful and fun to look at for kids. This book was a fun, quick, entertaining read. My only complaint is that it was for boys, but I think it could have been for anyone.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well illustrated ABC book that is appropriate for the youngest hands if purchased in board book format and will grow with the child into 1st or 2nd grade. Jobs represent a wide range of earning potential, education required and cover all of the STEAM areas. Another positive for this book is the myriad of skin tone tones and hairstyles included throughout the 26 careers. There is a female version that also covers a myriad of options available for girls. A different ABC choice amid so many containing animal or vehicles!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book so much! I have a 2yo daughter who would love to see boys in this ABC book. But more importantly, my young son can sit a read to his little sister a book that shares that boys can be ballet dancers or video game designers or yoga instructors because there just aren't enough of us shouting this message out! The writing is awesome and the illustrations are spot on. Yay! Great example of gender inclusivity.

[Helena#bookdreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for granting my wish and for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this storybook was engaging and colorful. A perfect way to teach kids about the difference careers that exists while learning the alphabets. Great buy.

[Raymond Library · Rating 1 out of 5]

I understand what the author was going for, but it fell flat. Most of the careers included in the book (actually, I'd say 95%) are "typical" male careers. It also irked me that B for Ballet Dancer didn't use the correct terminology. A male Ballet Dancer is called a Ballerino.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much! It lists careers from A to Z and includes careers that are usually aimed towards girls. It's about time that we acknowledge that boys can be a nurse or a ballerina.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 2 out of 5]

Colourful and creative but some of these jobs titles are way too complicated for young ones to understand. Not right for it's intended audience at all.

[Emily Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from netgalley. It was a great book for babies/toddlers featuring tons of varied careers and the abc’s.

[Linda Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining for the 4 year old and 6 year old in my house, they quite enjoyed this book. We had lots of good conversations when finished.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Kim Esmael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute board book, showing boys the many possibilities for their futures. Loved that it described what each occupation entails, especially for some that might not be obvious to children.

[Kathleen]

Queer content: no