Overview
This picture book celebrates a parent's unconditional love and the boundless potential of every child, using rhythmic, poetic language and lush illustrations to affirm a child’s unique qualities.
Emily Winfield Martin's 'The Wonderful Things You Will Be' is a tender, rhythmic ode to childhood potential, offering parents a gentle way to express their hopes and dreams for their children. Through vivid, dreamlike illustrations and a flowing, rhyming narrative, the book celebrates traits like bravery, creativity, and kindness as inherent to each child’s identity. The gatefold ending adds a special touch, making it a book that families return to again and again. Its universal message of acceptance and encouragement resonates deeply with readers of all ages.
Best For
- New parents seeking meaningful baby shower gifts
- Families building bedtime routines with heartfelt stories
- Educators looking for inclusive, affirming classroom read-alouds
What We Like
- The seamless blend of poetic language and visual artistry
- The inclusive, gender-neutral celebration of diverse traits
- The enduring, timeless quality that makes it a family heirloom
Things to Keep in Mind
- The book’s simplicity may not engage older children beyond early elementary
- The focus on parental perspective might feel slightly one-sided for some readers
Who It's For
This book is designed for parents, caregivers, and educators who want to share a gentle, affirming message with young children. It’s especially well-suited for baby showers, birthdays, and bedtime routines, where its lyrical rhythm and warm illustrations create a soothing, reflective atmosphere. The inclusive language—celebrating traits like bravery, creativity, and kindness without gendered expectations—makes it ideal for diverse families. While the book’s focus on parental love might feel most resonant for new parents, its universal themes of acceptance and potential ensure it remains relevant through early childhood. The gatefold ending adds a special touch for family gatherings, making it a natural choice for those seeking meaningful, repeatable read-alouds that grow with the child.
What's Inside
The book opens with a simple, rhythmic refrain: 'The wonderful things you will be / will be wonderful because you are you.' Each spread then explores a different trait—bravery, creativity, kindness, curiosity—paired with vivid, dreamlike illustrations that depict children in various settings. The art is lush and detailed, with soft, warm colors that evoke a sense of safety and wonder. The narrative flows seamlessly from one trait to the next, building toward a final, expansive gatefold that shows a child reaching for the stars. The text is intentionally simple, with short, repetitive phrases that make it easy for young children to follow and for parents to read aloud. The book avoids specific scenarios or stereotypes, instead focusing on the inherent qualities of the child, making it adaptable to any family’s experience.
Reading Experience
Reading this book is a warm, intimate experience that feels like a quiet moment of connection between parent and child. The rhythmic, almost musical quality of the prose makes it ideal for bedtime or calm moments, with the repetition of phrases like 'The wonderful things you will be' creating a soothing cadence. The illustrations, rich with detail and soft color palettes, invite readers to linger on each page, discovering new elements with each reading. The gatefold ending, which opens to reveal a child reaching for the stars, creates a moment of shared wonder that families often return to. While the book is simple in structure, its emotional depth and universal message ensure it remains engaging for repeated readings. The lack of complex plot or characters allows the focus to stay on the emotional resonance, making it a comforting choice for both parents and children.
Final Verdict
The Wonderful Things You Will Be is a beautifully crafted, timeless addition to any family’s bookshelf. Its gentle, inclusive message of unconditional love and encouragement for a child’s unique potential makes it a standout choice for parents seeking meaningful gifts or bedtime stories. The rhythmic prose and lush illustrations create a soothing, reflective experience that resonates across generations. While its simplicity may not appeal to older children, it’s a perfect fit for early childhood, offering a quiet moment of connection that families will cherish. This book is more than just a story—it’s a heartfelt promise, a gift that grows with the child, and a reminder of the boundless potential within every young heart.