When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? It’s a tough question, isn’t it? There are so many possibilities! As a parent, you know that the question of what to do your kids want to be when they grow up is a big one.
One of the best things you can do for them is to help them find their passion and start preparing for their future career. There are many great books that can help kids learn about different careers and what it takes to succeed in them. We share our 20 top favorites of the best career prep books for kids in this article!
A is for Awesome!: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World
Reading age: 1-5 years
This book is perfect for young girls who are looking for inspiration. It features 23 profiles of iconic women throughout history, from Amelia Earhart to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Each profile includes information on what made these women so successful in their field. This is a great book to get kids thinking about what they can achieve in their own lives.
Think Big, Little One
Reading age: Baby-4 years
This book is perfect for kids who are just starting to think about their future careers. It features inspiring stories of black women in a variety of different fields, from scientists to chefs. This book is a great way to show kids that they can be anything they want to be when they grow up.
What Color Is Your Parachute? For Teens
Reading age: 12-17 years
This book is a classic when it comes to career preparation. It helps readers figure out what they want to do with their lives and how to go about achieving their goals. This book is a great resource for kids of all ages who are starting to think about their future careers.
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
Reading age: 1-5 years
Just starting to think about their future, this is another great book for kids who are careers. It features a variety of different career options, from doctor to veterinarian. This book is a great way to get kids thinking about what they want to do with their lives.
My Magical Choices (The Magic of Me Series)
Reading age: 3-6 years
My Magical Choices is the perfect book for kids who are just starting to think about their future careers. It features a variety of different career options, from doctor to veterinarian. This book is a great way to get kids thinking about what they want to do with their lives.
The Berenstain Bears on the Job
Reading age: 5-8 years
This is an excellent book for youngsters who are just developing their ideas about their future professions. The book includes a variety of career choices, such as a doctor to a veteran. Having different career options will help them better understand what they want to do with their lives.
The Magic School Bus Gets Programmed
Reading age: 4-8 years
The Magic School Bus Gets Programmed is a great book for kids who are interested in computer science. The Magic School Bus takes a group of kids on a field trip to a computer programming company in this book. This is a great way to introduce kids to the world of computer science and show them what they can do with their lives.
Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do
Reading age: 2-6 years
This is an excellent book for kids who are just starting to think about their future careers. It features a variety of different career options. These fun illustrations represent jobs and how they go about their day and interact with each other. Having different career options will help them better understand what they want to do with their lives.
You Got This!
Reading age: 8-14 years
This book is all about finding your path in life and changing the world. It includes information on different careers, what it takes to succeed in them, and how to find the right job for you. You Got This! Includes exercises to help you figure out what you’re interested in, your strengths, and what kind of career would be a good fit for you. If you’re looking for a book that will help you find your path in life, this is the one for you!
Careers: The Graphic Guide to Planning Your Future
Reading age: 10+ years
Careers: The Graphic Guide to Planning Your Future Book features over 400 careers. This book is a great way to get kids thinking about what they want to do with their lives, with 134 main job entries.
Engineering for Teens: A Beginner’s Book for Aspiring Engineers
Reading age: 12-16 years
Enjoy a great reading experience when you learn the job of an engineer. Engineers solve a variety of complex challenges facing the world while making creative and innovative improvements. This book is perfect for introducing the fundamentals of engineering.
Architecture for Kids: Skill-Building Activities for Future Architects
Reading age: 8 -12 years
Architects play a big role in helping buildings, cities, and communities flourish. Architecture for Kids will allow your little ones to explore the world of architecture through a series of skill-building activities. This book is perfect for introducing the fundamentals of architecture.
Ada Twist, Scientist
Reading age: 3 -7 years
Be inspired by real-life history makers, championing STEM with a dose of girl power. Learn the importance of asking “Why?” as curiosity grows. This book is perfect for introducing the fundamentals of science and problem-solving.
Who Was Walt Disney?
Reading age: 7-10 years
Who Was Walt Disney? He was an entertainer who used his imagination which later developed into a business. Imagining the possibilities reflected in the black and white illustrations shows how the magic was sparked. This book is perfect for introducing the fundamentals of entertainment and business. WhoHQ is a series of books with stories of people, places, and events.
Dream It & Do It: 100 Possibilities, Stories, and Real-Life Role Models
Reading age: 4-14 years
Is your child beginning to show an interest in what they want to be when they grow up, but you aren’t sure how to assist them? This book is one of the most important books you can add to your child’s bookshelf. They have big dreams, and this book will show them that it’s okay to dream big. In addition, this is a great way to introduce kids to different career options and real-life role models.
Why Not You?
Reading age: 4-8 years
Why Not You? is an inspiring book that encourages children to achieve their dreams. Rooted in music, this book will inspire children to think outside the box and follow their passions. This is a great way to introduce kids to learning how to value themselves and reach for the stars.
Python for Tweens and Teens
Reading age: 12+ years
This book is perfect for kids who want to learn how to code in Python. It starts with the basics of algorithmic thinking and builds up to more complex concepts. It’s ideal for kids who want to learn or teach computer programming using established rules and methods. By the end of this book, kids will have a strong foundation in coding and be able to write their own programs.
What Shoes Will You Wear?
Reading age: 5-12 years
The author explains a number of career choices that match the typical shoes worn by people in that profession. Careers are grouped into clusters. The skills required for every profession, such as responsibility, self-confidence, integrity, punctuality, and cooperation, are discussed in this book. A fun, creative, and detailed approach to career education!
100 Things to Be When You Grow Up
Reading age: 8-12 years
Hands-on activities and over 100 jobs help kids try different careers, from an astronaut to a chef to a zookeeper! This is the perfect book for kids who are trying to figure out what they want to be when they grow up. It’s also great for adults who want to introduce career exploration to kids.
Better Than a Lemonade Stand!: Small Business Ideas for Kids
Reading age: 9-14 years
Creative ideas that kids can start today! This book is packed with small business ideas that kids can start to make money. With more than fifty fund ideas for the budding entrepreneur. This book offers great strategies for kids who want to be their own boss.
We hope that this list of career prep books for kids has given you some great ideas to help your kid on their journey to discovering their passion. These 20 career prep books for kids are sure to get your child excited about their future! If your child is already excited about exploring their career options, these books will give them the information they need to start preparing for it. So pick up one or more of these awesome career exploration books today!
