Work It! 6 Picture Books About Jobs

Curious George Takes a Job, by H.A. Rey
Like any smalltown kid who dreams of the big city, George longs to glimpse the wonders that await outside the gates of the zoo. With his patented blend of craftiness and curiosity, he manages to escape to a bustling metropolis, where he tries his paws (all four of them) at a number of seemingly monkey-appropriate jobs. When his gigs go awry, it looks like George’s working days are over—that is, until a certain man in a certain yellow hat offers George the kind of vocation that would make any monkey flip.

Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day?, by Richard Scarry
Richard Scarry’s classic oversized picture book introduces kids to a myriad of occupations through playful, detailed illustrations that will engage them time and again. The residents of Busy Town are, as the name attests, a busy lot. They build houses, fight fires, deliver mail, make dresses, fly planes, grow food—you name it, this industrious bunch has it covered. Little ones will love taking this visual tour through town to learn about the many different ways people spend their days.

The Berenstain Bears’ Jobs Around Town, by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
Kids of all ages fantasize about what they’ll do when they grow up, and Brother and Sister are no exception. Naturally, the curious cubs look to the grown-up bears in Bear Country to see what kinds of careers are possible. Their observational tour begins at home, where they find papa doing carpentry and mama keeping house, and leads them to a variety of places in their bear-filled surroundings. They see a wide range of professions, including teachers, doctors, engineers, and firefighters. There’s even a cameo by reoccurring Berenstain character Officer Marguerite.

Career Day, by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
Mr. Lopez drives a bulldozer, Charlie’s mom is a judge, and Michiko’s mom writes books. All the kids in Mrs. Madoff’s classroom know people with different jobs, and on Career Day, they take turns introducing their special visitors to the class. Then, it’s the students’ turn to share the work they do at school. Filled with sweet, colorful illustrations, this book will inspire little ones to learn more about the jobs of people in their own lives.

When I Grow Up, by Al Yankovic
It’s Show and Tell in Mrs. Krupp’s classroom, and eight-year-old Billy is practically levitating: He can’t wait to tell the class what he wants to be when he grows up! Written by the inimitable “Weird Al” Yankovic, this wonderfully whimsical tale takes readers through Billy’s visions of his future occupations, which run the gamut from professional chef (Twinkies au gratin, coming right up!) to giraffe milker, and rodeo clown. Sky’s the limit for Billy, and if we’re lucky, somewhere down the line we may be fortunate enough to taste his famous giraffe cheese.

Bear at Work, by Stella Blackstone and Debbie Harter
If fans of Stella Blackstone’s Bear Series know one thing about the books’ furry protagonist, it’s that he’s the most capable bear in existence. He’s a whiz on a bike, he can navigate a square with the best of ‘em, and his floor-mopping skills would impress the likes of Martha Stewart. In this volume, we discover how Bear makes a living (after all, honey doesn’t buy itself!). His important job takes him all around town, where he encounters other VIBs (very important bears) who are also at work.
What are your favorite picture books about jobs?