Children's Book Review for Papa Pea and Lil Ol' Me: What Do You Want to Be? By David McMurray, Claudio Cerri (illustrator)

 

Papa Pea and Lil Ol' Me: What Do You Want to Be? By David McMurray, Claudio Cerri (illustrator)

Published:  April 8, 2025 by Blue Balloon Books

Taken from Amazon:  The future is whatever you want it to be, as long as you stay a sweet and hardworking pea!

Lil Ol’ Me and Papa Pea are two peas in a pod with big hearts and even bigger dreams. One day, Lil Ol’ Me wakes up wondering what her future holds. Papa Pea helps her explore potential career options, from pediatrician to hot air balloon pilot and beyond. Join these peas on a journey to discovering that the best thing you can be is yourself, right now. Lil Ol’ Me can’t wait to meet you!

Author David McMurray relates to Lil Ol’ Me; there was a point in time when he wondered what the future might hold. Papa Pea and Lil Ol’ Me shows young dreamers like you that anything you dream is possible and that when the time is right, you must give it your all and not let others change your mind. In the meantime, enjoy being where your feet are today and your future will be brighter tomorrow!

My Thoughts:  I love this book!   The story is cute, the illustrations are bright, and the characters are PEAS!   The lesson is this book is perfect.   You can be anything you want to be but most of all you can be you.    This book teaches Lil’ Pea that she can be whatever she wants but not to rush to get there.   Take her time, enjoy life and just be Lil’ Pea.   I love this!

My favorite line is “I see me and all I could be!” I hope every child who reads this book to remember this line for their entire life.  This book is perfect for preschool aged children.

Thank you Blue Balloon Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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About theAuthor(taken from Blue Balloon Books website):  David McMurray, a North Carolina native, began his career in college selling children’s books door to door. Since then, he has amassed over thirty-five years of wide-ranging experience in the financial services industry. David’s previous hobbies, including golf, college football games, and beach trips, have largely been replaced by visits to Colorado and Georgia to see his four grandchildren. The oldest could not pronounce his chosen nickname, “Papa Mac,” and instead called him “Paco,” as all his grandchildren now lovingly call him. He believes that every minute spent with the little ones is not only irreplaceable but also truly a blessing. 

David’s inspiration for Papa Pea and Lil Ol’ Me comes from his own experience of not knowing what he could be when he grew up. Although he dreamed of being a pediatrician, he sidetracked into studying business. He hopes that this first book in the Lil Ol’ Me series will encourage children to follow their dreams as they explore the world around them.