What Will I Be from A to Z - by Laura Carter (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

2025 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL HOT OFF THE PRESS PICK

A picture book encouraging children to pursue their dream STEAM careers, full of diverse representation

I may be small, but I dream big about what I might be
My future's bright, no end in sight, with options A to Z.

It's never too early to ask yourself, "What will I be when I grow up?" But the reality is that many fields do not represent the wonderful diversity of our world. Helping children of all genders, races, and abilities to see themselves in a variety of professions, What Will I Be From A to Z is an introduction to STEAM fields from astronaut to zoologist. With simple rhyming text and colorful illustration from the dream team behind A Steminist Force, author Laura Carter and illustrator Anna Doherty, comes an invitation to dream big and follow your passion. Includes one page of discussion questions to help kids identify their interests and set goals.

Review Quotes

A little girl bookends this story as she gives serious thought to the profession she wishes to pursue in her future. The author primarily focuses on STEM careers but also includes a few more traditional career options that children typically consider, such as teaching and veterinary medicine. Young readers will be introduced to careers not usually considered in childhood, such as oncologist, neurologist, urban planner, and horticulturist. These introductions provide opportunities for vocabulary building. The author has cleverly embedded each profession into a whimsical rhyme, providing a rudimentary description of the often complicated career choice. The illustrations serve to further explain the vocation and feature a diverse cast of multicultural children, both at work and at play. Backmatter includes a section that explores questions for career research. These questions may lend themselves well to a classroom research project, where students select a career from the book and use the questions to learn more about the occupation. Reading this book with children provides numerous opportunities for important discussions on various topics, whether it is at school with peers and teachers or at home with parents, siblings, or extended family.-- "Children's Literature" (6/28/2025 12:00:00 AM)

With a simple rhyming text and colorful illustration, "What Will I Be From A to Z" invites children to dream big and follow their passion. Of special note is the inclusion of a one page listing of discussion questions to help kids identify their interests and set goals. Fun and informative, "What Will I Be From A to Z" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.-- "Midwest Book Review" (7/22/2025 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Laura W. Carter is a native of Oxford, Alabama. After graduating from the University of Montevallo with an MEd in 2009, she began her career as a high school history teacher. Laura writes kidlit for all ages and has dedicated her adult life to encouraging children (and adults) to explore their world through stories, history, and learning. Her first picture book, A Steminist Force, released in 2024 from Familius. Her second picture book, What Will I Be from A to Z, will release in 2025, also from Familius. Laura currently resides with her husband and son in Huntsville, Alabama. She loves miniature schnauzers, road trips, and all shades of green. Anna Doherty is an illustrator and author from Edinburgh, based in Cambridge, UK. Since graduating with an MA in Children's Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art, Anna has illustrated several picture books across all age ranges and genres. She is the creator of Fantastically Feminist, a mini-series of biographical books, and especially enjoys working on projects that celebrate and explore positive themes like equality and inclusion. Anna loves mustard yellow, popcorn, and dogs.