Later, When I'm Big by Bette Westera (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Later, When I'm Big by Bette Westera Kara Forde Westera, Bette Later, When I'm Big; illus. by Mattias de Leeuw; tr. from the Dutch by Laura Watkinson. Eerdmans, 2023 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780802856104 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781467466929 $17.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 3-6 yrs Striding into a large, lush waterpark while holding the hand of their mother, a young child wearing a one-piece red bathing suit narrates: "Later, when I'm big, I'll dare to do lots and lots of things." Their first daring adventure will be simple enough: "Drinking cold soda, even if it tickles my throat." But the waterpark scene has plenty of unusual features hiding in plain sight: a big pink elephant in the hot [End Page 75] tub and a mermaid in the foliage. A page turn accelerates the grandeur of the child's predictions, as they state that they will kiss elephants' trunks and sleep in the attic of a haunted castle. The bulk of this Dutch import picture book's spreads follow this same formula: full-bleed illustrations depicting fantastical or adventurous scenes in which the child and their plush bunny can sometimes barely be found, paired with simple sentences that always start with an action verb. De Leeuw's illustrations have sketched linework and acrylic brushstrokes that echo the art of Ludwig Bemelmans, and a blend of conventional fantasy scenes (swimming with mermaids) and unexpected activities (brushing the teeth of larger-than-life lions and tigers) add appealing variety. The final pages show the child peering down from atop a giant diving board, considering their options, before returning child, mother, and reader to the locker room for one last "Later. When I'm big." For fans of Cornwall's Jabari Jumps (BCCB 5/17) looking for a bit more whimsy, this is it. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois