When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic
So we all have embarrassing secrets, right? Well, here is mine: I love Weird Al Yankovic. The first live music concert I ever went to was Weird Al and I loved it. I was little, yes, and I hid when there were scary parts (go look up the music video to 'Jurassic Park' by Weird Al...as a seven year old, you'll understand my freak out.) but it was amazing. My love of his witty word play started like most younger siblings favorite things: my brother loved his music first. I thought I was the cool kid listening to witty music (that I didn't fully understand) that my five years older than me brother listened to.
So needless to say, I've kept this hidden part of me tucked away from friends and relatives. Until I totally geeked out when I saw this book. I can't stop talking about.
Most (all) of the books discussed here are young adult novels. Not this. This book is everything you'd want in a book written by Weird Al. Witty word play, virtuoso rhythm and completely laugh out loud humor. This book goes page by page (in beautiful illustrations by Wes Hargis) with Billy telling what he wants to be when he grows up. From a snail trainer to a chef to a gorilla masseuse to giraffe milker, Billy runs the gamut on future careers. Through all it's silliness, this books ending has something that ultimately choked me up and brought a tear to my eye.
This, to me, is the perfect book to give to a graduating student (elementary graduate, middle school graduate, high school or college!). It's the funnier, sillier version of the classic grad gift Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. I would especially give it to a college graduate who majored in education. It will also make a great end of the school year gift for your child's teacher. Look out teacher friends, here is your next gift.
I leave you with my absolutely favorite Weird Al song. I know all the words...yeah.
No comments:
Post a Comment