Growing Up With Frankie, by Patrice Lorick
My review: ★★★
This is a “what do you want to be when you grow up” book, where each kid explains their own dream. When we get to Frankie, his dream is to be a Christian. When the other kids ask what that means, he explains that being a Christian means being good to others and loving others. The kids all think it sounds so cool, they wish to become a Christian version of their chosen profession. The story ends with Frankie encouraging the reader to grow up to be a Christian, too. There’s also a list of questions at the back to prompt discussion between the adult and child reading the book, which is perhaps the best part.
While I like the messages that kids can be whatever they imagine, and I support books that people can use to encourage their kids’ faith, I guess it bothers me a little that Frankie has no other plan than to become a Christian. I wanted him to dream of an inspiring job, too! I also wish the gender roles were a little more reversed, encouraging a girl to be an astronaut. I’m on the fence about the ice-cream taster dream: my kids would definitely be jazzed about the idea, but at the same time it’s not really aiming high. Perhaps I’m projecting too much of my own STEM focus on my interpretation of this book. Its primary goal was to encourage faith, and it does that.
The artwork is high quality. It is probably best for children 2-6 years old.
