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Mike Curato
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What If... Hardcover – Picture Book, April 10, 2018

by Samantha Berger (Author), Michael Curato (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 402 ratings
Teachers' pick
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Creativity, the power of imagination, and the importance of self-expression are celebrated in this inspiring picture book written and illustrated by real-life best friends.

This girl is determined to express herself! If she can't draw her dreams, she'll sculpt or build, carve or collage. If she can't do that, she'll turn her world into a canvas. And if everything around her is taken away, she'll sing, dance, and dream...

Stunning mixed media illustrations, lyrical text, and a breathtaking gatefold conjure powerful magic in this heartfelt affirmation of art, imagination, and the resilience of the human spirit.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Dimensions
    10.38 x 0.5 x 10.5 inches
  6. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  7. Publication date
    April 10, 2018
  8. ISBN-10
    9780316390965
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0316390965
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

Crankenstein A Crankenstein Valentine Trick or Treat Crankenstein Rock What Ya Got What If... Martha Doesnt Share
Crankenstein A Crankenstein Valentine Trick or Treat, Crankenstein Rock What Ya Got What If… Martha Doesn't Share!
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
912
4.7 out of 5 stars
725
4.8 out of 5 stars
185
4.9 out of 5 stars
94
4.9 out of 5 stars
402
4.7 out of 5 stars
37
Price $13.59 $15.19 $10.75 $12.78 $15.21 $18.78
Samantha Berger brings some delightful and fun picture books that even the grumpiest kids will enjoy This hilarious and relatable tale of grumpiness gone awry will turn toddler tantrums to giggles in no time. Even the crankiest monsters have hearts in this Valentine tale from Samantha Berger and Dan Santat. Grumpy Monkey meets all the drama of Halloween in this perfect revival of a favorite character. A child reminds everyone to embrace their own special something in this joyful expression of self-love. Creativity, the power of imagination, and the importance of self-expression are celebrated in this inspiring picture book. This hilarious picture book shows readers that sharing isn't all that bad when you take it one (small) toy at a time—like Martha does.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—In a first-person narrative, a young African American girl declares that nothing can keep her from creating. ("What if that pencil one day disappeared? I'd fold up the paper till stories appeared.") As she continues to imagine her the disappearance of her supplies, she invents new ways to create, by chiseling wood, drawing in the dirt, and using leaves, snow, and sand as her media. As more and more resources are withdrawn, the child makes shadows, tells stories, and dances. Until "If I had nothing, but still had my mind; there would always be stories to seek and to find." The story's origins are events from the author's own life. Berger shares in the notes that she wondered how she would be able to create when she was forced out of her home by a flood. She improvised, and in doing so realized that those who are "compelled to create…will always find a way." Curato was inspired by Berger, and reflects that in digital collages of household and found objects offset with charming pen-and-ink drawings of the young protagonist. The story is sandwiched between two exterior depictions of the narrator's apartment building. At the start of the book, she can be seen through a window, working at her desk. At the end of the book, the windows illuminate all the creators nearby; a man playing violin, a woman decorating a cake, and singers, dancers, painters, and needle workers. VERDICT This inspirational read-aloud provides ample opportunity for discussion and creation from beginning to end. A necessary addition for most collections.—Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence

Review

A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of 2018
An Atlanta Parent Magazine Best Book of 2018
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2018
2019 International Literacy Association/Children's Book Council Children's Choices List

*"A testament to the power of an imaginative mind. ...This extraordinary book will make it hard for any child reader to settle for the mundaneness of reality."
―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Curato's collages, featuring ink, pencil, acrylics, and more, make beautiful backdrops that pop, contrast, and fill each spread with life. What's more, Berger's inspiring message...uplifts and demonstrates the unstoppable spirit of creativity. ...[Y]oung artists will come away connected and affirmed."―Booklist

"Curato's collaged and found-object illustrations meet the creative challenges [Berger's] text all but demands with moments of giddy inventiveness."―Publishers Weekly

"This inspirational read-aloud provides ample opportunity for discussion and creation from beginning to end."
―School Library Journal

"A true celebration of creativity and art in all its forms."―Brightly

"The mixed-media illustrations fully communicate the glory of artistic passion."
―School Library Connection

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0316390968
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 10, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780316390965
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316390965
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.08 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.38 x 0.5 x 10.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 402 ratings

About the author

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Mike Curato

Mike Curato

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MIKE loves drawing and writing almost as much as he loves cupcakes and ice cream (and that's a LOT!). He is the author and illustrator of everyone's favorite polka-dotted elephant, Little Elliot. His debut title, Little Elliot, Big City, released in 2014 to critical acclaim, has won several awards, and has been translated into over ten languages. There are now five books in the Little Elliot series, including Little Elliot, Big Family; Little Elliot, Big Fun; Little Elliot, Fall Friends; and Merry Christmas, Little Elliot. Meanwhile, Mike had the pleasure of illustrating What If... by Samantha Berger, All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle, Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian, and contributed to What's Your Favorite Color? by Eric Carle and Friends and Sunny Day: A Celebration of the Sesame Street Theme Song. His latest books, released in 2020, are The Power of One written by Trudy Ludwig, and his first YA graphic novel, Flamer! Publishers Weekly named Mike a "Fall 2014 Flying Start." In the same year he won the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Founder's Award.

To learn more about Mike, visit www.mikecurato.com, and follow him on Instagram (@mike_curato) and Twitter (@mikecurato).

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
402 global ratings
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5 Stars
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Love this book. Excellent choice for the creative parent who wants to encourage creative thinking.
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Top reviews from the United States

BReshay
5.0 out of 5 stars My 5 year old’s favorite book
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
They had this book in her classroom at school and she picked it for class reading often, so I purchased her own. She loves it and great story about creativity!
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Kirk Byron Jones, PhD, DMin
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent witness for children and adults on what is the best question of all: What if?
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2023
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Great in simple ways. Don’t miss the story about why the book was written at the end.
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scrapbookgirl71
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2019
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This book is perfect match of words and illustrations. It's inspiring even as an adult to think about how creativity lives inside of you despite your circumstances or surroundings. It's certainly a message I needed to hear and in an educational system where everything comes down to your latest test score, it's definitely a message kids need to hear too. Mike Curatos' illustrations with all sorts of mixed media are the soul mates to Samantha Berger's powerful text. The world needs more books created by these two artists.
2 people found this helpful
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Nikolay T.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2023
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Wow, wow, a book that gave me goosebumps while reading it to my kids!
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Erica K.
5.0 out of 5 stars arrived damaged
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023
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beautiful book but the book arrived completely damaged
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Kate_Piliero
5.0 out of 5 stars Kind of like "Big Magic" in picture book form
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is all about the power and glory of our desire to create, for its own sake, and with whatever materials we have access to. It's beautiful and fun, told in rhyme. This is a heady, potentially even heavy topic but the book doesn't skew that way at all. It would make a great gift for any creative child, paired with their medium of choice (or new mediums to try out!)
3 people found this helpful
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Kathleen B.
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice book. Giving to lending library.
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2019
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Quick read. Good message and illustrations.
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AJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Great empowering book
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2018
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My niece and I discovered this book in a book store during our family vacation. she's six-years-old and I am dedicated to find books, movies, etc. that empower her to be unique, brave, and strong.

This book does just that. We sat on the floor of teh book store and I read it once. She loved it so much, she asked to read it again.

It's now in our library of books for the kids when they come to visit.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Absolutely fantastic!
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for children 4 and up who love to be creative.
Reviewed in Canada on April 25, 2024
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It’s perfect. I had tears in my eyes reading it to my granddaughter who’s 8 . So beautifully written . I even bought one for me to put in my library. It’s gem of a book.
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Ayesha P.
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2022
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An inspirational book about reaching for your dreams and never giving up. 💕
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J. Fudger
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2022
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Used across the whole primary school. The children of all ages loved the illustrations and the story. Used it to generate stories and Science investigations. A brilliant discovery
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Jenny
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
Reviewed in Canada on June 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book has a great story about creativityand self-esteem. The illustrations are incredible. So colourful. I would buy this again.
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