When I Get Bigger - Mercer Mayer

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The first 'Little Critter' book we ever owned (but the second, after Just Me and My Puppy, that has made this list), When I Get Bigger has 'Little Critter' daydreaming about what life will be like when he is older. These ideas are all based on a child's understanding of what adult-hood will be like, including Little Critter saying he will stay up late to watch movies and go on the bus to visit his grandparents on his own.

The illustrations are cute, and occasionally add humour or irony to the narration. The ending also adds a touch of humour, by stating: "But now I have to go to bed, because Mommy and Daddy say I'm not bigger yet."

Ezekiel might not yet get the nuance of the jokes, but he does enjoy this story, and in recents months has added the phrase "when I get bigger" to his own repertoire, along with (his own original twist) "when I was a baby."

Lots of fun.

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