What Do You Do With an Idea?

My five-year-old loves this specific author, and I’ve purchased multiple books by him. However, I never bought this one because I thought it was famous for elementary students. I assumed he must have heard or read it many times, so I purchased some books he probably hasn’t come across yet. He loved the other ones I picked for him by the same author. One day, however, he came home from first grade and said, "Mom, will you buy me 'What Do You Do with an Idea?'" I replied, "I know that book! I thought you didn’t want it because I’m sure it’s in your school library. Your teacher seems like the type who would have it in the classroom." He told me, "Yes, she has read it to me! It’s my favorite book of his because I have so many ideas, Mom! Kids always have ideas! We have so many, so many!” He described how big and beautiful the idea becomes in the book. We talked for an hour about his ideas, like making art or being an artist. He mentioned that one of our family members had told him, “If you want to be an artist, be prepared to be poor because they don’t make much money.” When he read this book, he thought about his dream of making art and his family member's comments. He realized, “No! I love my idea of making art. I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m going to do it, and I’m going to enjoy it and love it.” He said that once he started ignoring the negative things people were saying about him, he realized he could change the world, even if nobody believed he could. This simple discussion with my five-year-old made me realize this book is changing children everywhere. It motivates them and encourages them to keep going in a harsh, cruel world, where adults unintentionally discourage each other, as well as the children that look up to them. This book reminds adults wnd children alike to dream big and never give up on their ideas.:)

ST6er, bought this off Will Compton’s recommendation. Great book, can’t wait to read it to my future kids.

I bought this book for my nephew. He said it was his favorite book ever! It's a great story for intelligent kids that are always active and entrepreneurial.

When it's Kobi Yamada nothing can go wrong. Every book by this author has excellence in thought, word and illustration. The concept is good for any child or adult, and the piece in itself is a work of art. You may think you know a Kobi Yamada story from the title of the book. Maybe you do, but I doubt you now how or why he brings you to the conclusion that all is well in your world after adopting his idea.........Try this you and your listener will be delighted that you did. And have you a teen whose experienceing a tough time? Have them read it to a sibling. They too will benefit greatly.

This book starts out black and white and progresses to colorful pages towards the end. It has a good message.

Even if this lovely picture book had not won an independent Publishers Gold Book Award, it would still deserve every bit of the attention which it has begun to receive. A young boy has something precious which he himself has created -- an idea, and despite the fact that others discourage and disregard it, he finds the inner strength to hold on to his idea, to nurture it, and to begin to keep it company. Eventually his idea goes on to do something really special...it shows the boy that it and therefore, he, has the power to change the world. If the reader peeks carefully at the little idea, one can see it begin to grow. It begins its life looking like an egg, a perfect metaphor as we wait for the idea to hatch, or break out of its confining shell. The boy's egg is a yellow-gold color that makes one think of the sun or of light...just as light illuminates, so can a nurtured idea. The discriminating reader (often an observant child!) may notice that midway into the story, the idea egg appears to be sporting a little crack, which continues to spread. Does this suggest that his idea is cracking or breaking? Oh no, reader...this little idea is about to sprout wings, burst from its shell, and take wing to change the world! Lovely sepia colored illustrations provide a perfect backdrop for the little golden idea as it grows. This book is gorgeous on all levels -- visually, emotionally, and creatively. A perfect gift for any child, or for any adult who enjoys a reminder once in a while (like me!) about the best aspects of our humanity.

It’s a nice read and good for sparking conversation about ideas but it doesn’t really say what the character did with their idea….

This is now one of my child's favorite books. Now they keep telling me that you can change the world with an idea and it's the cutest thing!

Well written and the illustrations are beautiful.

just a beautiful book

Un libro bellísimo, no sólo para los niños, uno como adulto puede encontrar un gran mensaje, buen regalo para todas las edades.

Good book with nice story line.

The most likeable part is the way of putting the fundamental irreducible concept which begins within the mind as thought and the transition from isolation t o friendship through colors is liberating. Beautiful, however for children be it of a few years old or somebody like me with 41 years. I am reliving my second childhood with my daughter who is 7 years. Somewhere the price for something like this is priceless and so must be reduced to allow all to access and get liberated.