The Wonderful Things You Will Be
About This Book
This love letter from parent to child imagines all the wonderful possibilities a child might become — brave and bold, smart and strong, wild and clever. With dreamy illustrations of children in fantastical costumes, it celebrates each child's unique potential and the unconditional love that supports it.
Themes
LovePotentialFamily
Best For
- Bedtime reading for babies and toddlers, thanks to its soothing, rhythmic text
- Baby showers and newborn gifts — especially when inscribed with a personal note
- First day of school or other milestone moments when a child needs reassurance
- Families wanting to open conversations about identity, potential, and unconditional love
Why Parents Love This Book
Emily Winfield Martin's "The Wonderful Things You Will Be" has become one of the most cherished parting gifts between parents and children because it captures something universally true: a parent's love is not contingent on what a child achieves, but on who they simply are. The book unfolds as a gentle, lyrical daydream — a parent imagining all the things their child might become, from brave to bold, wild to clever, and everything in between. Martin's dreamy, richly detailed illustrations of children dressed in fantastical costumes give each page a storybook quality that invites lingering. What sets this book apart is that it never narrows a child's possibilities to any single path. It embraces contradictions — a child can be quiet and loud, soft and strong — and celebrates each combination equally. The verse-like text reads beautifully aloud, with a cadence that soothes even the youngest listeners. It is the rare book that speaks as much to the parent reading it as to the child hearing it.
Reading Tips for Parents
This book works beautifully as part of a bedtime routine because its gentle, rhythmic text has a calming, lullaby-like quality. As you read, pause on each illustration and ask your child to describe what they see — Martin's detailed artwork rewards close looking. The book is an ideal springboard for early conversations about feelings and identity: after finishing, you might ask your child what kind of person they think they are today. For new parents, this book can be emotionally resonant to read aloud — it is perfectly okay to let your child see that too. Consider returning to this book at milestones like birthdays or the first day of school, as its message of unconditional love lands differently as children grow. It also makes an excellent gift book to inscribe with a personal message.
Awards & Recognition
- New York Times Bestseller
- Amazon Best Book of the Year (2015)
Educational Value
This book helps children develop skills across multiple areas:
- Social-emotional: Builds a child's sense of self-worth by affirming that they are loved unconditionally, which supports secure attachment and emotional confidence.
- Vocabulary: Introduces rich descriptive words — brave, bold, wild, clever, kind, strong — in context, expanding early emotional and character vocabulary.
- Language Arts: The lyrical, verse-like text models rhythm and rhyme patterns, laying early groundwork for phonological awareness.
- Imagination and Creative Play: Fantastical illustrations of children in elaborate costumes actively encourage imaginative thinking and dramatic play.
- Family and Relationships: Opens natural conversations about family bonds, love, and what it means to belong to a family.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to spark conversation before, during, or after reading:
- What is your favorite picture in the book? What do you think that child is pretending to be?
- The book says you might be brave. Can you tell me about a time you felt brave?
- What do you think you might want to be when you grow up? Why?
- The parent in the book loves the child no matter what. Who loves you no matter what?
- If you could wear any costume in this book, which one would you pick?
Content Notes for Parents
There are no scary, sad, or mature elements in this book. It is gentle, warm, and wholly positive in tone — suitable for even the youngest readers and listeners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this book really best for?
The book is listed for ages 0-3, but it genuinely works across a wider range. Babies and toddlers respond to the rhythmic text and colorful illustrations, while children up to age 6 or 7 can engage more deeply with its themes of identity and potential. Many parents also report reading it to children as old as 8 or 9 at emotional milestones like starting a new school.
Is this book too sentimental for young children, or will they actually engage with it?
Young children engage primarily with the vibrant, detail-rich illustrations and the musical quality of the language. The deeper emotional resonance tends to hit parents more than toddlers, which is part of what makes shared reading of this book such a special experience. Children will enjoy pointing at pictures and naming what they see, while parents absorb the heartfelt message.
Are there any content concerns I should know about before reading this to my child?
There are no content concerns at all. The book is entirely positive, gentle, and inclusive in tone. There are no frightening images, sad events, or mature themes.
What books are similar to this one if my child loves it?
If your child loves this book, consider 'I Love You to the Moon and Back' by Amelia Hepworth, 'On the Night You Were Born' by Nancy Tillman, or 'You Are Loved' by Lori Evert. All share the same loving, celebratory tone directed from parent to child.
Is this a good gift book for a baby shower?
It is one of the most popular baby shower and newborn gift books in print, and for good reason. It is the kind of book parents keep rather than outgrow, and it reads beautifully aloud from the very first weeks of a baby's life. Inscribing the inside cover with a personal message makes it an especially meaningful keepsake.
