I Want to Be

A terrible question often asked of people, children in particular, when they are far too young to answer given inexperience,

Those who ask are often seeking an answer that is an occupation or career:

"I Want to Be" a nurse.

"I Want to Be" a doctor

"I Want to be" a pilot.

etc.

What about states of being? --that is what comes to my mind, not a career.  I am more of a dreamer like "Olivia Pig"

"I Want to Be" a good person

"I Want to Be" compassionate

"I Want to Be" giving

"I Want to Be" honest

"I Want to Be" loving

"I Want to Be" forgiving.

When I was an instructor at Phillips Academy, my son was bombarded with this question.  He was only a toddler, and could not then answer effectively, according to responses expected by the asker. so I immediately wrote this book , that Jerry Pinkney, the illustrator reads on YouTube: