What do YOU want to be when you grow up? According to the wise marsupials in this charming children’s book, the “possumbilities” are endless. Teacher, Scientist, Artist, Doctor, Nurse, Firefighter, Carpenter... It’s a mind-boggling list, especially when you’re young.
“A charming book that answers everyone’s question when young, ‘What will I be?’ Grant makes it a family affair with wise answers from relatives: take time to be you! Excellent illustrations and musical rhymes - I wanted to sing the text!” —Kathy Garver, actress (“Cissy” on the classic CBS sitcom “Family Affair”); author of Surviving Cissy: My Family Affair of Life in Hollywood “This is a great book, with a wonderful message—inspiring and ideal for young readers, just like me.” —Alina Morse, age 14; CEO and Creator of Zolli® Candy, the all-natural candy that cleans your teeth; as seen on the cover of Entrepreneur Magazine “One night the stars so completely enthralled me that I knew I had to be an astronomer. I dove in, learned all I could, and never gave up on that vision. The Possumbilities Are Endless is a book that will inspire children to ‘keep looking up!’” —Dean Regas, Astronomer, Co-host of “Star Gazers” on PBS, author of Facts From Space! and 100 Things to See in the Night Sky “I attribute much of my success and interest in learning to my parents reading to me as a child. The Possumbilities Are Endless does an inspiring job teaching kids, myself included, that no matter who they are, they can be anything.” —Rachel Seevers, age 18; winner of the 2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search, for designing a new kind of airplane wing; advocate for more females in science, technology, engineering and math To hear the song that goes with this book, please visit Grant’s website at:
www.grant-maloy-smith.com/possumbilities
Grant Maloy Smith was a graphic artist as far back as his kindergarten days, but switched to music in his twenties. He went on to perform at Carnegie Hall, and have an album on the Billboard Top 10 charts. In recent years he has combined his art and music to create children’s books. Raised in the South, Grant has long been fascinated with possums, America’s only marsupial. This is his second book in the series, the follow-up to Fly Possum Fly, a Christmas-themed book that started out as a music single that Grant wrote, that was played on country and bluegrass radio nationwide.
The Possumbilities Are Endless
“My acting career started at the tender age of two, and like this delightful story, I was always encouraged by my parents to follow my heart, be a kid and play. Yes, the ‘possumbilities’ are endless! Dreams truly can come true!” —Jerry Mathers, actor and spokesperson for Diabetes prevention and management; author of ...And Jerry Mathers as “the Beaver”
Grant Maloy Smith
The Possumbilities Are Endless!
You Can Do Whatever You Want To With Your Life!
Grant Maloy Smith
The Possumbilities Are Endless or “You Can Do Whatever You Want With Your Life” by Grant Maloy Smith copyright ©2019 Grant Maloy Smith All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books. To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com Ashley Teets—Art Director Lucas Kelly—Design/Layout Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781946664631
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019902657
PR I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D STAT E S OF A M E R IC A
Dedicated to my mother, Patricia Smith, who truly believed that I could do anything I set my mind to.
I asked my daddy, “Tell me, what will I become?” 4
He said, “Don’t worry now, my most impatient son.”
5
“There’s so much time ahead and many years to grow. But I’ve got a few ideas if you really want to know.”
6
7
“You could be an artist and make beauty for the world.�
8
“...and paint your love in many hues.�
9
“You could be a teacher and help everyone to learn. There’s still time for you to choose.”
10
“You could be a doctor, a nurse, or an EMT, and save a life most every day.” 11
“You could be a dancer, if you’re graceful on your feet.”
12
“But there’s still time for you to play.”
13
I asked my mama, “Tell me, what am I to do?” She said “Don’t worry now, your sister asked me, too.”
14
“There’s so much time ahead, you shouldn’t worry now. But I’ve got a few ideas you both can think about.” 15
“You could be an architect with big blueprints and plans, designing houses for the poor.�
16
“You could be a singer in a big ol’ country band. Who could wish for any more?” 17
“You could be a driver of a cab or bus or truck. Behind the wheel you’d be so brave.”
18
“You could be a soldier and help defend the fort. But there’s still time for you to play.” 19
We asked our grammy then, “Oh, what will we become?” She said, “Don’t worry now, our favorite little ones.”
20
Then Gramps just laughed and said, “I know you’ll both do fine. But we’ve got a few ideas if you really need a sign.” 21
“You could be a scientist. We sure would be in awe.”
22
“You could be a pilot in a plane.”
23
“You could be a builder with a hammer and a saw.”
24
“Or police the streets most every day.”
25
“You could be a farmer and grow food for everyone.”
26
“Or put out fires and keep us safe.”
27
“You could be a chef who wears the tallest, whitest hat. But there’s still time for you to play.” 28
I asked my sister, “Tell me, what will we become?� She smiled and took my hand, and then the other one. 29
“We’ve so much time ahead; so many things to see, I think right now the perfect thing is being you...
30
...and being me!�
31
What would YOU like to be when you grow up? Make a list in pencil so you can change it anytime you like. The possumbilities are endless! ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 32
What do YOU want to be when you grow up? According to the wise marsupials in this charming children’s book, the “possumbilities” are endless. Teacher, Scientist, Artist, Doctor, Nurse, Firefighter, Carpenter... It’s a mind-boggling list, especially when you’re young.
“A charming book that answers everyone’s question when young, ‘What will I be?’ Grant makes it a family affair with wise answers from relatives: take time to be you! Excellent illustrations and musical rhymes - I wanted to sing the text!” —Kathy Garver, actress (“Cissy” on the classic CBS sitcom “Family Affair”); author of Surviving Cissy: My Family Affair of Life in Hollywood “This is a great book, with a wonderful message—inspiring and ideal for young readers, just like me.” —Alina Morse, age 14; CEO and Creator of Zolli® Candy, the all-natural candy that cleans your teeth; as seen on the cover of Entrepreneur Magazine “One night the stars so completely enthralled me that I knew I had to be an astronomer. I dove in, learned all I could, and never gave up on that vision. The Possumbilities Are Endless is a book that will inspire children to ‘keep looking up!’” —Dean Regas, Astronomer, Co-host of “Star Gazers” on PBS, author of Facts From Space! and 100 Things to See in the Night Sky “I attribute much of my success and interest in learning to my parents reading to me as a child. The Possumbilities Are Endless does an inspiring job teaching kids, myself included, that no matter who they are, they can be anything.” —Rachel Seevers, age 18; winner of the 2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search, for designing a new kind of airplane wing; advocate for more females in science, technology, engineering and math To hear the song that goes with this book, please visit Grant’s website at:
www.grant-maloy-smith.com/possumbilities
Grant Maloy Smith was a graphic artist as far back as his kindergarten days, but switched to music in his twenties. He went on to perform at Carnegie Hall, and have an album on the Billboard Top 10 charts. In recent years he has combined his art and music to create children’s books. Raised in the South, Grant has long been fascinated with possums, America’s only marsupial. This is his second book in the series, the follow-up to Fly Possum Fly, a Christmas-themed book that started out as a music single that Grant wrote, that was played on country and bluegrass radio nationwide.
The Possumbilities Are Endless
“My acting career started at the tender age of two, and like this delightful story, I was always encouraged by my parents to follow my heart, be a kid and play. Yes, the ‘possumbilities’ are endless! Dreams truly can come true!” —Jerry Mathers, actor and spokesperson for Diabetes prevention and management; author of ...And Jerry Mathers as “the Beaver”
Grant Maloy Smith