A perfect gift for every milestone and big moment—from graduation to new beginnings—You Will Do Great Things is a lyrical, magical picture book about the great possibilities that lie ahead for our little ones.
A young boy's imagination takes off as he gazes at family photos, whisking him off on a fantastical journey. Along the way, the boy tries exciting and bold new things, ventures into unexplored worlds, and forms deep connections with his multicultural heritage and the ancestors who imbue him with the strength and courage to make a difference.
Amerie has written a moving, sweeping, and deeply loving story that is inspired by her own family. It is a celebration of everything our little ones have yet to do: the great, the amazing, the strange, and the new. It's also a lasting reminder that the loved ones in our lives will always be right there beside us—and in our hearts—cheering us on. An absolutely perfect gift for special moments from baby showers and new baby celebrations, to graduations, and everything in between.
1 of 1 copy available
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
March 28, 2023 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781250897923
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- Lexile® Measure: 500
- Text Difficulty: 1-2
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Reviews
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February 1, 2023
In singer Amerie's picture-book debut, a biracial child goes on a magical adventure, with ancestors rooting them on. Full-bleed spreads depict a dark-skinned infant being nurtured by a Black- and Korean-coded family and growing into an energetic youngster with light brown locs and a high fade. As the family sits down to a meal, the protagonist wanders off, their eye caught by an old photograph of a smiling, Black ancestor in overalls. When the child reaches out toward the picture, they fly through the frame and emerge in a jewel-toned forest. The woods are full of glowing, dancing Black and Asian ancestors. Accompanied by rhyming, inspirational text, the narrative winds along with the jubilant kid as they dance through the trees, chase an otherworldly white creature, ride a fiery bird (perhaps inspired by the Samjok-o from Korean mythology), and meet a person in a Korean hanbok before returning home. Younger readers may enjoy the singsong words alongside illustrator Figueroa's colorful, dreamlike art, but overall, the narrative feels somewhat unstructured and unsatisfying. Platitudes like "You will do big things / That just might change the world. // And you will do small things / That may help one boy or girl" are too timeworn to stand out, and the youngster's hop from one supernatural montage to the next is more dizzying than enchanting. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Despite the glittering images, this story is a bit lackluster. (Picture book. 3-6)COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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April 24, 2023
When a magically sparkling photo of a relative catches the eye of a young child portrayed with brown skin, they are swept into a dreamy fantasy world of imagined adventures. As the dauntless child dances, climbs among trees with gauzy leaved branches, rides a brilliantly plumed phoenix-like bird, and collects a rainbow of glowing orbs, they meet and are spurred on by figures who seem to be ancestors, cued as Black and of East Asian heritage. Figueroa blends elements of reality and reverie in fancifully hued digital landscapes. Songwriter Amerie’s rhyming verse encourages self-discovery (“Listen for that teeny voice// That’s always been inside.// It will help you find your way.// Trust it to be your guide”) and reminds readers that the support and love of family—even those who came before—surrounds them always. “You will be the things/ Those before us couldn’t be.// And you will carry in your heart// The power of their dreams.” Ages 4–8.
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