This book seems like one of those that is only partially for kids, similar to the allegorical tales The Velveteen Rabbit or The Little Prince.

Told almost entirely in question form, a small girl is wondering when she will get there. How will she know? How long will it take? Will she never be silly again? Can she pick daisies? Will there be rainbows? Will she finally know everything - all the secrets? Can she change her mind and go Elsewhere instead?

Finally, much like Scarlett O’Hara, she decides she has lots to do, and she’ll deal with the issue tomorrow.

The author is also the illustrator, using sweeping two-page paintings to show how wide the world is to this little girl, and perhaps how boundless the future possibilities for her.

Evaluation: Adults may understand this book even better than the young audience to whom it is directed. But I think with guidance, children will get the message that they, too, have endless opportunities ahead of them. ( )

The brilliance of There is that it’s a deceptively simple story. On the surface, it sweetly follows a girl as she contemplates a journey and what she might find when she travels from Here to There. The scope and romance of adventure plays out beautifully on every page. Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick fills her pages to bursting with warm, soft, and whimsical oil-paintings of open skies, winding paths and even scaly creatures, providing the reader a chance to dream of locales beyond the pages.
However, a deeper look reveals a child wondering—and worrying—about what it means to grow up. The protagonist frets about all the things she doesn’t yet know about There (like having to wear “sensible shoes”) and, most importantly, what comforts she may have to leave behind in Here. Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick taps into something beautifully universal to children and to anyone that was ever a child, even if that was long ago. We’ve all made a trip from Here to There. Everyone has wondered—and worried—about There.
Additionally, this book would make for a formidable read-aloud at bedtime or anytime, and early readers may take to it for its simple, short sentences and patterned word structure. ( )

I really liked this book- simple and to the point, but with so much meaning. This little girl tells her story through questions, wondering if and how she will ever get there? (there being grown up). She wonders and ponders as she walks over hills, climbs up to the stars and meets a dragon. But, in the end, she decides she has too much to do today, and will go there tomorrow. Definitely.

This is great for any age, showing that kids want to grow up but there is so much unknown about it, that growing up can wait. ( )

I had a hard time following this book, as did the 3-5 year old group. It is about A little girl questions, "When will I get There"? The question arouses a series of illustrations that tell of story of imagination. ( )