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Explore Careers With Picture Books

A graphic featuring small children dressed up like an astronaut, doctor, chef, construction worker and other jobs with the text "Explore Careers With Picture Books"

In April, we celebrate Take Your Child to Work Day. Inspire kids to think about all the incredible things they can do when they grow up with these fun picture books! And don’t miss a personal Take Your Child to Work Day story from the Imagine Institute’s Marketing and Communications Lead, Devon Allen.

The cover of the picture book "Ada Twist, Scientist," which includes an image of a young Black girl with goggles and a clipboard in front of a wall full of scientific notation

Ada Twist, Scientist, by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts


Little Ada Marie’s first word is “why?” and she never stops asking questions about the world. Her parents get frustrated with her chaotic experiments, but soon learn they can’t stop her scientist’s heart.

Learn more about architects, engineers and politicians in the full box set of The Questioneers picture book collection!

Trashy Town, by David Clemesha and Andrea Zimmerman, illustrated by Dan Taccarino


Many kids are fascinated by big vehicles like garbage trucks and the people who work with them. In this book, they’ll meet trash-truck driver Mr. Gilly, who works hard to pick up trash all over town.

Check out this animated, interactive read-aloud from the Michigan City Public Library.

The cover of the picture book "Trashy Town," which features a cartoon garbage truck and images of trash and other vehicles
The cover of the picture book "Veterinarians and What They Do," which features a cartoon veterinarian with a horse and a puppy

Veterinarians and What They Do, by Liesbet Slegers


This preschooler-friendly story gives a simple explanation of a veterinarian’s job, with lots of examples and colorful illustrations. 

Learn about 14 other jobs, from chefs to optometrists to ballerinas, in the Profession Series.

When Mama Goes to Work, by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, illustrated by Jessica Phillips


This book celebrates working moms in all sorts of professions. It’s perfect for Mother’s Day as well as Take Your Child to Work Day!

The cover of the picture book "When Mama Goes to Work," which features cartoons of mothers and children of different races and different professions
The cover of the picture book "Whose Hands Are These?" Which includes hands holding a hammer, a paintbrush, an icing bag and more

Whose Hands are These?, by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell


This rhyming, interactive book encourages kids to guess different familiar jobs, reminding them of how many people are important parts of our communities.

When I Grow Up, by Weird Al Yankovic, illustrated by Wes Hargis


At show-and-tell time, Billy can’t wait to tell his classmates about all the amazing (and absurd) things he wants to be someday. This story will inspire kids who aren’t sure what they want to be, or who want to be everything!

The cover of the picture book "When I Grow up," which features a blonde boy in a firefighter hat riding a bulldozer
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