If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It

Colleen Nelson and Kathie MacIsaac, illustrated by Scot Ritchie

Image | If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It

(Pajama Press)

What does it take to become a stuntperson? How does a mathematician spend her days? When does a barber become the centre of a community? In this refreshing take on a careers book, meet twenty-five individuals of different backgrounds, genders, and abilities who have found their careers through a wide range of experience, education, intention, and inspiration.
From Joshua Jones, who built a business where he could thrive as a Deaf interior designer, to Teresa Tam, whose hunger for knowledge led her to the position of Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, each of these dreamers found ways to dig deep into their passion, to gain experience and knowledge, and to turn that into a job.
In If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It, Colleen Nelson, middle-school teacher and award-winning author of The Harvey Stories and The Undercover Book List, teams up with children's librarian and literacy advocate Kathie MacIsaac to show young readers that there are many paths to a dream job. Education may come from university, college, trade school, apprenticeship, specialized training, or simply asking questions and getting involved. Your career may be something you're already dreaming about or something you've never even heard of. No matter what, success means feeling happy with the work you do.
If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It includes full-color photographs and illustrations, informative sidebars, tips for trying out a field of interest, a glossary, an index, and an interactive quiz. Spotlight features on children and youth who are already gaining experience for their own dream jobs round out this inspirational resource. (From Pajama Press)
Colleen Nelson is a YA author based in Winnipeg. Her other books include Pulse Point, Spin, Harvey Comes Home and Harvey Holds His Own.
Kathie MacIsaac is a Manitoba literacy advocate who is passionate about books for middle-grade readers. She is a co-author of the blog Bit About Books and a co-founder of the website MG Book Village, which facilitates connection between members of the middle-grade community.
Scot Ritchie is a Vancouver-based author and illustrator of more than 60 books for young readers.