Emily Winfield Martin is a collector and lover of fairy tales, and the original Grimm’s tale of Snow White and Rose Red enchanted and haunted her all her life. She is a painter of real and imaginary things, and the author and illustrator of such books as Dream Animalsand The Wonderful Things You Will Be.Emily lives among the giant trees of Portland, Oregon, and if you need her, you might look in the heart of the woods.

Her children are so serious… and so unflappable… that they convey not just hope for the future, but a sense of manifest destiny.”— Publishers Weeklystarred review From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin's rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. With beautiful, lush illustrations and a stunning gatefold that opens at the end, this is a book that families will love reading over and over. Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: We quit!In this timeless poem about growing up, Emily Windfield Martin explores all the things you can choose to be, from brave and bold to creative and wise. Karen Katz's adorable babies play peekaboo in this delightful interactive book. The sturdy format and easy-to-lift flaps are perfect for parents and children to share.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be is a subtle, charming picture book sure to appeal to readers of all ages. A joy to read. It is arranged as a letter to the most important and beloved person in the world. And all of the lines are spotted with tiny and hidden reasons for love. From brave and bold to creative and clever, Emily Winfield Martin’s rhythmic rhyme expresses all the loving things that parents think of when they look at their children. The wealth of possibilities contained within even the tiniest child is the subject of Martin's ( Day Dreamers) love letter from parent to offspring: "When you were too small/ To tell me hello,/ I knew you were someone/ I wanted to know." This potential can be seen in everything children do, from working in a garden ("Will you learn what it means/ To help things to grow?") to bandaging a toy bear. The book concludes with a double gatefold, drawn as a proscenium-style curtain, that reveals a group of eccentrically costumed children (a robot, a pencil, a log) to represent the idea of becoming " anybody/ That you'd like to be." Martin's characters generally exhibit a preternatural sense of self-possession, but this book's subject matter adds another layer of meaning to the poised poker faces on display. Her children are so serious (even when swinging on a swing) and so unflappable (even when tailoring a pair of pants for a squirrel) that they convey not just hope for the future, but a sense of manifest destiny. Publishers Weekly, Publishers Weekly This sort of positive message is what should always be anticipated from a children’s book, and I loved this book mostly for its message. It’s very nostalgic like floating on a childhood cloud.I loved this children’s book totally. The illustrations are lovely and have pastel and baby-like colors that are nostalgic that I feel would be quite attractive to a child. The text is rhythmic like a lullaby. And there is a harmony to both the text and the illustrations together. But what is most beautiful is the message of the book itself. It instills a positive attitude in children towards life by first getting them to ponder their birth as a special occasion and emphasizing the uniqueness of their individual selves and what they could bring about to the world while at the same time emphasizing a selfless attitude. Martin's rhyming text moves the narrative along with lyrical narration reminiscent of a poem or a lullaby. Although this book is an obvious choice for parents to read with their children, it can also work just as well in a story time program. The text is just a tad too long for a baby story time but I could see toddlers or school age children being drawn in by the bright colors and rhymes. Illustrations and simple, rhyming text reveal a parent's musings about what a child will become, knowing that the child's kindness, cleverness, and boldness will shine through no matter what, as will the love they share. A hilarious picture book about dealing with unexplained feelings…and the danger in suppressing them!