If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It - by Colleen Nelson & Kathie Macisaac (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In this full-color, nonfiction resource, profiles of twenty-five diverse individuals share how each person got interested in their field, how they studied or trained for it, how others typically study or train for it, and their experience in their career. Informative sidebars share spin-off jobs, fun facts, pro tips about how readers can try out the field, and spotlight features about children who are doing just that. The book includes a table of contents, a glossary, an index, an interactive quiz, and reference pages about different types of education."--

Book Synopsis

There is no single path to the job of your dreams.

What does it take to become a stuntperson? How does a
mathematician spend her days? When does a barber become the center of a
community? In this refreshing take on a careers book, meet twenty-five
individuals of different backgrounds, genders, and abilities who have found
their careers through a wide range of experience, education, intention, and
inspiration. From Joshua Jones, who built a business where he could thrive as a
Deaf interior designer, to Teresa Tam, whose hunger for knowledge led her to
the position of Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, each of these dreamers found
ways to dig deep into their passion, to gain experience and knowledge, and to
turn that into a job.

In If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It, Colleen
Nelson, middle-school teacher and award-winning author of The Harvey
Stories and The Undercover Book List, teams up with children's librarian
and literacy advocate Kathie MacIsaac to show young readers that there
are many paths to a dream job. Education may come from university, college,
trade school, apprenticeship, specialized training, or simply asking questions
and getting involved. Your career may be something you're already dreaming
about or something you've never even heard of. No matter what, success means
feeling happy with the work you do.

If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It includes full-color photographs and
illustrations, informative sidebars, tips for trying out a field of interest, a
glossary, an index, and an interactive quiz. Spotlight features on children and
youth who are already gaining experience for their own dream jobs round out
this inspirational resource.

Review Quotes

Praise for If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It: How 25 inspiring individuals found their dream jobs

2022 Kirkus Reviews "Big Jobs, Big Dreams" Feature

2022 School Library Journal "Why We Read and Write Nonfiction, a guest post by Kathie MacIsaac and Rebecca E. F. Barone" Feature

Quill & Quire "2022 Fall Preview: Books for Young People - Nonfiction" Feature

49th Shelf "Most Anticipated: Our 2022 Books for Young Readers Fall Preview" Feature

49th Shelf "New Fall 2022 Books" Feature

2022 49th Shelf "8 Books That Celebrate Inspiring Women" Feature

"Spring 2023 Showcase: Spring into a New You" Feature

The Children's Book Council "Hot off the Press: October 2022" Feature

CBC Books "36 Canadian middle-grade books to watch for in fall 2022" Feature

"How does a person find a job that they enjoy doing? This inspiring book helps readers do just that....This is a wonderful compilation sure to interest students....A solid choice for a library needing middle grade nonfiction about careers."--School Library Journal

"Readers will delight in learning more about the range of professions available, and adults looking for a career change may be tempted to pick up the book as well. Will inspire readers to find--and follow--their dreams."--Kirkus Reviews

"This is a fun, fact-filled book that should energize readers and encourage them to find ways to follow their own dreams."--Booklist

"[T]his motivating guide will make an excellent addition to school libraries, and [is] perfect for children who are discovering their passions and developing new skills."--Quill & Quire

"Colleen Nelson and Kathie [MacIsaac]...created a book where 25 people of a wide range of occupations explain precisely how they got those jobs in the first place. How cool is that? ... It actually looks like something a kid would get a kick out of reading. This is so cool."--School Library Journal, Fuse 8

"[A] wonderful book that should be part of classroom libraries from grades four through eight. It presents many wonderful talking points and at least an academic year's worth of project-based inquiries....Reviewer Rating: 5"--Children's Literature

"Extremely engaging, the stories in If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It are not only inspiring but will, perhaps, spark some readers to explore unique professions and, above all, to follow their dreams. Highly Recommended"--CM Magazine

"Whether you want to learn about Martha the Smokejumper, Blake the NHL Scout or Ismail the Documentary Photographer, this book contains several common and less heard of jobs. Which career will entice you?"--Metroland Media

"In this well-formatted collective biography, nicely illustrated with Scot Ritche's full color, exuberant page decorations, we meet a variety of people who set out to pursue jobs from farming to teaching to writing books... In addition to being a good book to have for career studies, this book can offer a lot of scope for the imagination and open up the world of career opportunities."--YA Books Central

"[T]he perfect book for anyone who wants to be inspired and learn more about a host of different career opportunities. The book lays out each person's story very nicely, not only telling each person's individual background and career aspirations, but also tips for how to work toward that job... Definitely a must read...Overall rating: 5."--Beth Rodgers, YA Books Central

"[A] dynamic resource that will appeal to middle grade readers...There are many opportunities throughout this book for ALL readers to see themselves reflected through the biographies of those featured...with incredible inspiration from those featured in the book and Kathie and Colleen's excellent way of bringing their stories to life, this book can provide a little bit of guidance."--Storytime with Stephanie

"[A]n inspiring, in-depth look at how specific people came to their profession....This book features 25 individuals with a wide variety of interesting jobs and what it takes to get there....A great resource for 'career day'."--The International Educator

"What a fantastic book....Each profile includes a mix of real photos and illustrations by one of my favourites, Scot Ritche, as well as tips, suggestions on how to learn more about the job, and spin-off jobs.... So many interesting people and so many potential opportunities."--Book Time

"Rating: ★★★★★...[A]n inspiring book about finding your dream job!"--Jill's Book Blog

"[A] well-organized collective biography that informs and celebrates....Colleen Nelson and Kathie MacIsaac cover all the bases in a comprehensive and captivating format...with Scot Ritchie's playful cartoons reflecting the diversity and abundance of people and jobs showcased."--CanLit for LittleCanadians

"This book illuminates a pile of modern careers and professions in a way that's diverse and accessible for young readers. Each job is described with just the right amount of detail... This is all enhanced with photos and vibrant illustrations...Every reader will find themselves in this book."--Marsha Skyrpuch (Goodreads)

"The layout is attractive and easy to follow, text features provide strong organization, and additional snippets of information in catchy categories will make If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It a popular choice for young and old audiences."--Bit About Books

"In this well-formatted collective biography, nicely illustrated with Scot Ritche's full color, exuberant page decorations, we meet a variety of people who set out to pursue jobs from farming to teaching to writing books....In addition to being a good book to have for career studies, this book can offer a lot of scope for the imagination and open up the world of career opportunities."--Ms. Yingling Reads

"Who knew the many paths children today might take to ensure a happy life?...[T]he authors encourage readers to make a choice that will fulfill them by following the dreams they have, knowing there may be obstacles and hard work ahead. It will be worth it to be doing something you love."--Sal's Fiction Addiction

About the Author

An author and junior high school teacher, Colleen
Nelson earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in
her hometown of Winnipeg. Her recent works include The Undercover Book List,
the award-winning Harvey Stories, which include the Governor General's
Literary Award finalist Harvey Holds His Own, and the picture book Teaching
Mrs. Muddle. Colleen writes daily in between appearances at hockey rinks
and soccer fields in support of her two sports-loving sons. The family's West
Highland Terrier Rosie adds an extra-loveable dose of liveliness,
squirrel-chasing, and shoe-chewing to their lives.

Kathie
MacIsaac is an
award-winning literacy advocate who is passionate about books for middle-grade
readers. She is a co-author of the blog Bit About Books and a co-founder
of the website MG Book Village, which facilitates connection between
members of the middle-grade community. Kathie manages the children's department
of the Headingly Municipal Library near Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she lives with
her husband and daughter. Her first book is If You Can Dream It, You Can Do
It: How 25 inspiring individuals found their dream jobs.