Humorous “watercolor and pencil” illustrations present children acting out in a school “musical” what they would like to be when they “grow up.” The skits, in rhyming verse, include wishes to be “king of the jungle,” a poet, a pirate, performers in a band, “sweet shop” owners, soccer players, and “a mermaid,” until the last scene in which a young boy in a frog suit freezes, stammers, and, then announces that he does not “wanna grow up!” (n.p.). Several illustrations are framed within sumptuous red stage curtains, reinforcing the effect of being present at a performance. Author received the 1999 Emil Kurt Maschler Award and the 1996 Nestlé Smarties Award Gold Prize. hc

Originally published by Walker Books Great Britain, in 2005.