I Could Be, You Could Be

by Karen Owen, Barroux (Illustrator)

Overview

Join a young boy and girl on thrilling, fantastical adventures.

A young boy and girl imagine themselves as space-traveling astronauts, ferocious dragons, jungledwelling monkeys and more. The fine line between children's make-believe and the fantastic worlds they create is cleverly portrayed through Barroux’s bright landscapes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846867637
Publisher:	Barefoot Books
Publication date:	05/01/2012
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 9.75(h) x 0.14(d)
Age Range:	2 - 6 Years

About the Author

Karen Owen is a short-story writer and journalist. The mother of two small children, she also works as a teaching assistant in an inner-city school and loves making masks with her class. Karen lives in south London, England.

Born in Paris and raised in Morocco, Barroux returned to France to study art and work as an art director. He has also worked in New York, USA as an art director. He began his career as an illustrator after moving to Montreal, Canada. Barroux has illustrated many children’s books.

Editorial Reviews

PreS-Gr 1—In this sweet story, a boy and a girl make believe they are everything from astronauts to animals in the jungle. Each spread has a rhyming couplet that begins either with "I" or "You": "I could be the king or queen/Making all the rules"; "You could be a dragon/Guarding all their jewels." This simple formula and clear writing make the story accessible for listeners who love to play pretend games as well as for beginning readers. Barroux's eye-catching acrylic and pencil illustrations are filled with vibrant color and evoke a joyful feeling. The book is great for sharing aloud and sparking discussions about imagination and pretend.—Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL

School Library Journal

What would you like to be? To a little boy and girl everything and anything is possible. They joyfully throw themselves into every fantasy. They can be kings or queens making all the rules. How about being a fierce dragon or a parakeet, or maybe a chimpanzee? Clowns, space aliens, astronauts, ponies—there's no limits to the imagination here. Of course, "the best thing I could ever be ...is me!" Owen celebrates make-believe with simple rhymed text in abcb form that begs to be shouted in rhythmic sing-song. Barroux's double page spreads are rendered in acrylic and pencil in the brightest of hues, with large bold-face type in varied musical styles thatcomplement the action. The cartoonlike style captures the fantastical nature of the children's games. They are just as joyful and creative when they are just being themselves, playing outdoors, reading and drawing. The children are depicted asPeanutsgeneric, which only enhances their universality. Endpapers continue the fun as the children fly off in rockets to the clouds. An afterword gives instructions for making masks and make believe. A great read-aloud for both parents and teachers and sure to spark great ideas and "what-ifs."(Picture book. 2-7)

Kirkus Reviews