"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a question kids get asked over and over. But very few connections are made for kids between the present and the future. This book shows kids a pathway from their current interests and talents to a future career or interest. And in so doing, it also encourages adventure, exploration, and discovery, three core principles of National Geographic's mission. It's a celebration of possibility—so simple and so profound.

Jumping in puddles can inspire scuba diving. Dirty hands can lead to dinosaur bones! Backyard star-gazing inspires future astronauts. Perfectly selected photos make the connections compelling and the future real for kids, then rich back matter brings the message home with inspirational quotes from the real-life adventurers pictured in the images. Grown-ups won't be able to resist sharing this inspirational message with kids, and kids won't be able to resist the invitation to let their imaginations run wild.

• Ages 4-8
• Hardcover
• 48 pages
• 9 1/8" x 10 7/8"
• © 2013

Barbara Kerley is the author of National Geographic's A Cool Drink of Water, which received a starred review from School Library Journal and was named an Outstanding Science Trade Book by the NSTA/CBC, and You and Me Together, which was named an ALA Notable Book. Her third book for National Geographic, A Little Peace, was called "powerful" by School Library Journal and "stunningly beautiful," by the Boston Globe. It was named to the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book List and a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2008. She has written Walt Whitman: Words for America; One World, One Day; What to Do About Alice?, and The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins. She lives in McKinleyville, California.