Sometimes it feels like I “must” read a book. It keeps coming into my life in different ways, begging to be read. “What Do You Do With an Idea?” by Kobi Yamada is one of those books. My friend recommended this book, but not just the usual “it’s good, you should read it.” She recommended it as “one of those books that you have to read, it will change your life.” I knew I needed to read it. Then my mom showed up at my house carrying a copy of it, saying someone she knew recommended it to her. Okay, I got the hint….I had to read this book.
If you read just one book that I recommend here, On The Children’s Shelf, please choose this one. The recommendations I received didn’t do it justice. It is one of the best books I have ever read. While written for children, this book should be read by readers of all ages, and read to those not yet able to read it themselves.
Yamada takes something that exists in your imagination, an idea, and makes it tangible. The reader joins the main character on this journey from that initial idea, as it grows bigger and stronger, fights the doubt of others, until it comes to fruition. The idea becomes too large for just one person and it fulfills its destiny.
While the story alone is brilliant, Mae Besom’s illustrations are genius. This is by far one of the prettiest books. I loved every page of this book.
This book now holds a special place in my heart and will be a resource I return to often when I doubt my own abilities, doubt my own dreams and ideas and need a reminder of what to do with an idea.
* This was originally written in 2015 but I needed this reminder, so I’m sharing it with all of you.