When I Grow Up

Some may be surprised to hear that the same man who’s famous for song parodies has written a children’s book—and not just because they’re shocked that kids still read. Though if you think about it, who better to speak to children than someone who has made a career out of not taking life too seriously? The story, which unlike many children’s books has more than 20 words in it, follows young Billy as he explains to his class what he wants to be when he grows up. In a singsong rhythm, Billy’s job prospects forego the typical Sesame Street occupations for more creative endeavors such as a giraffe milker, professional pickle inspector, and a part-time assistant tarantula shaver—all humorously illustrated by Wes Hargis. Parents can read it to their little ones and use it as a jumping-off point to spark their imagination of their own future, or, who knows, maybe it will inspire the parents to finally figure out what they want to be when they grow up. After all, in Weird Al’s cult classic UHF, he worked at a lumber yard, mini-golf course, fish market, and Big Edna’s Burger World before finding a career at UHF Channel 62.