I want to be

A picture book that helps children ponder "What does it mean to grow up?"
Authored by Tony Ross, a recipient of multiple awards, including the Dutch Silver Pencil Award and a nomination for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.

What does the lively little princess want to be when she grows up?
Her family and friends are eager to offer advice,
but the little princess surprisingly has her own ideas!


For children confused during growth

This book is not limited to children or adults; it tells us what we encounter during our growth. People around you will have many expectations, but as you grow older, you won't be able to meet everyone's expectations.

This is a picture book that helps children ponder "What does it mean to grow up?" Through the little princess's confusion, the story gently presents the choices and dilemmas during the growth process, and also reminds adults that instead of rushing to give answers, it's better to accompany children to slowly explore and listen to their inner voices. You don't have to grow up according to everyone's expectations; only you can decide who you want to become!

Heartfelt Recommendation

"What's the best way to be?" This is a good question and the switch to becoming a better version of oneself. Learning from the little princess's courage to ask questions and, like her, listening to her inner voice, we can become who we want to be. —Ye Huizhen, Senior Teacher at Tsing Hua University Affiliated Experimental Elementary School

Everyone has dreams; I want to become the person I envision. But there are many voices around me, messing up my direction. Accommodating others, pleasing others, meeting others' expectations. When I calm down, I realize I've neglected my deepest desires. "I Want to Be!" helps children self-explore and find their direction. —Wang Yizhong, Director of Wang Yizhong Psychological Counseling Institute, Clinical Psychologist

What exactly is "growing up"? Kind, brave, intelligent, clean—adults are always eager to tell children "who they should be," but rarely stop to listen to what children think. "I Want to Be!" humorously reveals the contradictions of the adult world and invites adults and children to ponder together: growth is not about meeting expectations, but about understanding who you want to become. —Zhou Wanxiang, author and administrator of "Read Together, Play Together"


Author's Biography

Tony Ross

Born in London in 1938. Studied at the Liverpool School of Art in the UK.
His lively drawing style is full of strong emotional tension, using humorous and interesting plots to attract attention, allowing readers to learn the寓意 he wants to convey. He has won multiple awards, including the Dutch Silver Slate Pencil Award and a nomination for the Hans Christian Andersen Awards.