How To Be by Lisa Brown

32 p., HarperCollins, 2006

Imagination is not only fun, but also, it's good for you. In encouraging children to make believe they are a bear, a monkey, and other animals, this story shows them that learning these animals' attributes will also teach them how to be human. For example, when you make believe you're a bear, you should be brave, and to be a person, you should also be brave. Together, the text and the rather old-fashioned color illustrations inspire a sense of playfulness. Children will understand that they can take make-believe with them into all aspects of their lives.

Ages: 0-3
Cultural Context: European American