Book Review - When I Grow Up

When I Grow Up I Want to Be...in the U.S. Army

By: Barron Ressler
Publisher: Wigu Publishing
Publishing Date: October 2013
ISBN: 978-1-9399-7305-4
Reviewed By: Amy Lignor
Review Date: October 31, 2013

For anyone who’s missed this amazing series from Wigu Publishing – now is the time to catch up and read them all. Both titles – with more to come – are told through the eyes of a young girl or boy who looks at their future and picks what they would absolutely love to ‘be when they grow up.’

In this latest book, Jake is the young man who is given an assignment by his teacher to put a project together; whether it be drawings, paintings, an essay, and/or dressing up in costume, the kids in class will all represent the career they want to have one day. Well, as with all young people – and very creative adults – a myriad of choices run through Jake’s mind. Does he want to be an astronaut? A rockstar, perhaps? There are so many things out there to be. But after speaking with his father about the project, Jake decides he wants to do what his dad and HIS dad before him both accomplished – being one of the ‘best of the best’ and most dedicated people to our country; Jake wants to be in the U.S. Army.

Dad is very proud and takes Jake down to a local Army surplus store to look around for a suitable outfit. With each question Jake asks - about the uniforms, ribbons, or medals – Dad tells him all about what they’re for and how you earn them. Along with Dad’s explanations comes a picture with extra information on the history of the Army, what the various medals stand for, and the specifics from foot soldier all the way up to General.

Right along with Jake, the reader and the reader’s children learn everything they need to know about the Army. Beginning with “The Soldier’s Creed” and ending with a short dictionary to explain various words (Artillery, Fatigues, etc.), the book allows children to be more educated on the topic.
This is a fantastic series that began with being a ‘teacher,’ with future books to come that will open up the world of firefighters as well as the U.S. Navy. Done in a very fun way that will make kids eager to learn about these careers, the illustrations and descriptions are perfect. Not only are they expressive and snappy learning tools, they are also great books for parents and kids to read together.

Quill says: Education, colorful pictures, fun dialogue, and a host of explanations that are easy to understand – these books will have kids learning how to dream and how to succeed in the future.