I Wonder If I’m Growing
illustrated by Jon Klassen
Walker Books

In his signature style, using minimal colours, Jon Klassen visualises a song from musician Raffi’s catalogue.

It begins with the lines: ‘I wonder if I’m growing / I wonder if I’m growing’ and opposite the second line we see the upper part of a child’s face as far as the top half of the eyes.

Said child then moves around the house and we’re shown a view in the mirror above the bathroom sink, then a view sitting at the dining table with a sandwich ready for eating, the consumption of which doesn’t appear to make any difference. Nor does mum’s reassurance.

Thereafter we’re shown the child smiling through a car window, again wondering but more confidently. The wondering about growing continues through bath times to bedtimes.

Indeed this wondering continually preoccupies the child until at last – hurrah! a hand is able to reach the tap in the bathroom and to wash both hands.

A simple celebration of growth from the small child narrator’s perspective and one that young children will relate to, whether or not they are familiar with the song.