I Can Be Anything! Don't Tell Me I Can't

Girl power! Two-time Caldecott Medalist Diane Dillon sends tigers and dinosaurs leaping off the pages as 5-year-old Zoe declares she can be anything: an archaeologist, vet, U.S. president, and more.

NAACP Image Award Nominee!Zoe embraces all the wonders of our world and its infinite possibilities. "I can be anything I want to be!" she tells us, presenting herself in a range of careers. "But what if you fail?" asks a voice of doubt that attempts to undermine her confidence.Bold and sassy, Zoe swats the voice away at every turn, declaring her certainty with a charisma that will encourage us all to silence our fears. Why can't a girl grow up to be President? Zoe can! When the voice of doubt continues, Zoe knows exactly what to say:"Go away, voice... I can be anything... but first, I have to learn to read. And don't tell me I can't!"Caldecott Award-winner Diane Dillon has created a winning character who defies anything to hold her back from achieving her goals. And the key to Zoe's future success begins when Zoe defiantly opens her book, making it clear that both confidence and reading are tools we all need to make our dreams come true.

Praise for I Can Be Anything! Don't Tell Me I Can't by Diane Dillon* "A young girl of color challenges the voice of fear and dissent in Dillon's first solo picture book....the ultimate in can-do power. Thoughtful and affirming." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW Praise for the work of Leo & Diane Dillon:Ashanti to Zulu: African TraditionsA Caldecott Medal WinnerA New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the YearAida retold by Leontyne PriceA Coretta Scott King Book Award WinnerAn ALA Notable Children's BookMany Thousand Gone: African Americans From Slavery to FreedomAn Orbis Pictus Award WinnerA Jefferson Cup Award WinnerThe People Could Fly A Coretta Scott King Book Award WinnerA New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the YearA Parents' Choice Award WinnerRap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles Think of That!A Coretta Scott King Book Award WinnerA Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the YearA Parents' Choice Award Winner