• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7

“The representation of a diversity of cultures and abilities is impressive as well as the uniqueness of some jobs….A visually appealing and inspiring representation of careers that would be a strong addition to middle school collections.”—School Library Journal

Young readers are given a lens into the life of an architect, a paleontologist, a pilot, and so many more through detailed job profiles and full-colour photos. How does a comedian write the perfect joke? How does a private investigator crack a mysterious case? Questions about jobs you know, and don’t know, are answered in a fun and accessible way through pro tips, spin-off job sidebars, and spotlight features about young people already achieving their dreams.

Following the success of If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It: How 25 inspiring individuals found their dream jobs, teacher and award-winning author Colleen Nelson, teams up once again with librarian and literacy advocate Kathie MacIsaac to introduce inspiring individuals of many backgrounds, genders, and abilities. Seeing a wide range of representation, in both people and jobs, is the first step to young people discovering their own career possibilities. This information-packed resource shows how education can come in many different forms, such as university, college, trade school, apprenticeship, or specialized training. A wide range of job profiles provides valuable insight into how each individual developed the skills and expertise they needed for their career.

An author and junior high school teacher who also enjoyed many years of teaching kindergarten, Colleen Nelson earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in her hometown of Winnipeg. Her previous works include the critically-acclaimed middle-grade novels Harvey Comes Home and Harvey Holds His Own; Sadia, which won the 2019 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award; and Blood Brothers, which was selected as the 2018 McNally Robinson Book of the Year for Young People. Colleen writes daily in between appearances at hockey rinks and soccer fields in support of her two sports-loving sons. The family’s West Highland Terrier Rosie adds an extra-loveable dose of liveliness, squirrel-chasing, and shoe-chewing to their lives.

Colleen Nelson's profile page

Kathie MacIsaac is an award-winning 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. Kathie manages the children’s department of the Headingly Municipal Library near Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she lives with her husband and daughter. Her first book is If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It: How 25 inspiring individuals found their dream jobs.  

Kathie MacIsaac's profile page

Praise for See It, Dream It, Do It

2023 Junior Library Guild Selection

2025 Forest of Reading - Yellow Cedar Finalist

2024 Children’s Book Council Best Books for Kids & Teens Selection

The Children’s Book Council “Summer 2024 Imagination Celebration” Feature

CBC Books "26 Canadian early reader and middle-grade books to read in fall 2023" Selection

“The representation of a diversity of cultures and abilities is impressive as well as the uniqueness of some jobs....A visually appealing and inspiring representation of careers that would be a strong addition to middle school collections.”—School Library Journal

“[T]he subjects are diverse in terms of race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and ability…The bubbly style of the writing conveys these people’s excitement for their chosen paths; readers will immediately be pulled in and come away spurred to mull their own ambitions… Solid inspiration to help young people think big about their futures.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Personally, I don’t think enough attention is paid to those kids that fret constantly about their future….It would have done me quite a bit of good to see a book like See It, Dream It, Do It.”—School Library Journal, Fuse 8

“This information-packed resource shows how education can come in many different forms, such as university, college, trade school, apprenticeship, or specialized training….an ideal, highly recommended addition to elementary school, middle school, and community library.”—Midwest Book Review Children's Bookwatch

“A wonderful guide to different career paths that children can take, which focuses on people of all genders, racial backgrounds, sexual orientations and ethnicities….Overall, a fun, informative read for any child in the late elementary and lower middle school grades, looking to get ideas on what they can do when they grow up.”—CLCD – Children's Literature

“Inspiring stories about real people who had a passion...and found a career in that field....Both informative and interesting.” —Youth Services Book Review ★ Starred Review

“The careers profiled in See It, Dream It, Do It go beyond the stereotypical positions and show the breadth of what you can do for a career. Rather than a police officer, there are profiles for a forensic artist, a private investigator, and a park ranger….The variety is amazing and shows many potential career paths for readers.”—CM Magazine

“Helping readers to consider cool career paths and give some consideration of their own dream jobs. This is an informative and engaging nonfiction compilation.”—Dr. Larry Recommends