I am a dandelion blower, cheek-to-cheek grinner, and a silly-joke teller.

I Can Be Anything!

Written by Jerry Spinelli

Illustrated by Jimmy Liao

Little, Brown and Company, 2010

32 Pages

Fiction

          The title of the book and the vivid colors on the cover caught my eye and made me decide to read this book. I Can Do Anything has a message that children and adults alike can benefit from. A young boy wonders what will he be when he grows up; what job will be best for him? He ponders his job being one of the tasks that he often does as a child,  a dandelion blower, puppy-dog holder, puddle stomper, barefooted hopper, cheek-to-cheek grinner, and silly-joke teller just to name a few. In the end, he decides that he cannot pick just one, so he will pick every one! 

          Liao uses watercolor and acrylic on watercolor paper to create his bright, vibrant illustrations. His illustrations are composed of primary colors and are one full page. The illustrations seem to jump off of the page at the reader, and capture the joyful personality of the young boy in the book. 

          I Can Do Anything would make a great character education lesson for elementary students to learn that they can do anything that they set their mind to and that whatever they choose to do, they should love. A language arts lesson could be incorporated by having the students write a quick write or an essay, depending on the grade level, about what they want to be when they grow up. Art could be incorporated by having the students use primary water colors to illustrate their career choices. I enjoyed this book because it teaches that you can be whatever you set your mind to and that your job should be something you enjoy. That is such a valuable lesson for students. This book does not have any rewards.