A father and his daughter create cherished memories and a home filled with love and dreams using their unique tools. What We'll Build promotes discussions on fathers and daughters, love, the power of dreams, future planning, and forgiveness.

Discussion Questions
How does the book portray the relationship between the father and daughter?
What are some of the things they plan to build together?
How does the story highlight the importance of dreaming and planning for the future?
How does the book depict the concept of forgiveness?
Can you think of a time when you planned something exciting with your family?
What does the story teach us about working together as a family?
How does the story inspire us to cherish our loved ones?
How can we apply the lessons from this book in our daily lives?

Another superb book from Oliver Jeffers, a magical relationship between father and daughter as they plan and build in their own ways the future for them both. Once to warm the soul and make you snuggle your children a little tighter.

Oliver Jeffers is back at his best with another beautiful book about family love. In a similar vein to "Here we Are". This is a story from a father to his daughter about how to build a safe and happy place, a world we can be proud of and feel safe in. Filled with all the charm one woukd expect from Oliver Jeffers, I have already bought several copies for family and friends. Ever child born in the last 5 years should own a copy of this book, it's as warm and cosy as a hot chocolate enjoyed under a blanket by a fire on a frosty morning. Heartwarming, joyful and full of soul.

Another classic from Oliver Jeffers. This one has a strong theme of optimism and building a better future, which is really appreciated at the moment. I found it quite tricky to read aloud, with some tricky rhyming, but taken a page at a time, it is beautiful. Lovely illustrations and ideas, as always.

Father and daughter love... and a life built together. Yes there’s a lump in my throat.

I read Here We Are years, a letter from a parent to his child. Another of Jeffers’ heartfelt picture books (he does regularly manage to elicit tears) and stir emotions. And so elegantly as well. Without effort it seems.

Here we have a narrative that to me reads as a widowed father building a new life with his young daughter. There’s a wedding ring but no mother/wife. Dad and his daughter make their own home, they keep out and then let in their enemies, go on trips, collect treasured things.

In rhymes, Jeffers also shows us the family they create together, a dad and girl curled up at night by a fire, a pair using their imaginations to ‘play’ games where they visit the moon.

It’s as much about what you read into it as what Jeffers tells us. So adults and small children alike will be able to connect with the words and the characters.

We’ve always enjoyed Jeffers, from Lost and Found to Stuck, He’s a modern classic and each book is a small masterpiece of word and image combined. And there’s a cute pig too.

For ages 3 and above.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

'What We'll Build' is a wonderful companion book to 'Here We Are' as it is in a similar vein. Taking the metaphor of physically building things and applying it to different situations within life, Oliver Jeffers' illustrations are as captivating as usual. This is a book that encourages imagination, taking time to appreciate the world around you and having hope when the world seems like a dark place. It is a timely book that many will find a helpful read at the moment and I see something new every time I look at the illustrations.

Oliver Jeffers' books are always beautiful. Here we Are! was especially amazing. This book doesn't quite touch those heights, but it's as close an anything could possibly get, and it's only because Here was so far above everything else.


Both Here and Build were born out of the birth of Oliver's child. There's a dreamy gentleness about this one, but it's much more...I'm going to say 'imaginary' than Here, although it's not quite the word I want. Build features the parent/child duo driving to the moon, building walls against ogres and witches and then inviting them to tea. It's an absolutely beautiful story and illustrates perfectly all the things parents want to be able to provide for their children.


As always there's plenty to examine in the illustrations; if I tried to talk about them we'd be here all day, so just take my word for it and plan some time to really study them. This isn't a book to read and put down; this one needs proper mulling over, examining, coming back to again and again. It's sure to be a standout this Christmas.

This is one of our most anticipated picture books of the year: What We’ll Build by Oliver Jeffers. Harper Collins Children’s Books kindly gave us access to an e-copy and it does not disappoint – it’s absolutely gorgeous!

What shall we build, you and I?
We’ll gather all our tools for a start.
For putting together and taking apart

In this long-awaited follow-up to the million-selling Here We Are, a young girl and her father start to think about how they’re going to build their life together. They’ll build a home, love, memories and have fun times and hard times but whatever the weather they’ll face it together.

This is such a moving book, one that often brings a tear to my eye when I read it to my children. The poetry is pitch-perfect, and a manages to say an awful lot while actually using very few words. And not only that but, I mean, just look at Jeffers’ stunning artwork! There’s more than one spread that I’d love to have as a print for my son’s bedroom wall.

It strikes me that this book would make a lovely gift for a new baby or a first Christmas. A book to to read over and over again, to treasure and to keep in a special place on the bookshelf. Because it puts into words what the less articulate of us (me!) might feel about our tiny children. And perhaps by reading it to them they might begin to understand, just that little bit more, how much they are loved. It’s beautiful.

Jeffers has produced yet another beautiful love letter for his daughter. It also has a very clever way of speaking as if from all parents to their children - addressing hopes, dreams, wishes and the partnership involved in the act of raising children.

Such delightfully simple words have been chosen to depict really big emotions/concepts.

I can see this book being reached for over and over again- especially when things aren't going quite right; acting as a reminder of a parent's support/love.

Jeffers has such a special gift of capturing the world's big ideas in a way that makes them accessible for children. Definitely another classic.

Yet another beautiful and poetic book from Oliver. A gorgeous look into imagination and parenting with gorgeous illustrations too make the whole perfect with little details that makes even a grown up heart swell a little.

I had a little trouble with the text on this - the scansion and rhymes in some of the lines seemed a little off-kilter, which may well be due to formatting issues.at my end. I loved the lilting quality of the other spreads though and the overall message was lovely. As for the illustrations - I love Oliver Jeffers' artwork and certainly wasn't disappointed this time. A beautiful book.

Another beautiful, heart-warming and poignant picture book from the absolute master of picture books. This is one of his best for sure.

'I'll build your future and you'll build mine. We'll build a watch to keep our time.'
Another beautiful picture book from Oliver Jeffers, inspired by the birth of his daughter 'What we'll build' shows us a father's hopes and dreams for his daughter as they go through life and build experiences and memories together.
Especially poignant in our current times the book touches on how we protect our loved ones and deal with others. With charming illustrations throughout this would be a wonderful addition to any children's library.

First of all the illustrations in this book are stunning, and add an atmosphere to the charming story that really adds an extra element to it. The story includes beautiful series of imaginations between a young girl and her farther about all the things they are going to build together, from a castle to there future, and the simplicity in it warms my heart. I was genuinely moved by this sweet and innocent storybook and think it would be a great addition to any young children's bedtime story collection.

Another stunning book from Oliver Jeffers. The illustrations are divine as ever, and it's a really heartwarming little story. Perfect for gifting! Will be recommending to customers. Thanks for the ARC!

Some children's books just capture your heart in an instant and What We'll Build is one of them.
A companion piece to the beautiful Here We Are, which was written for Oliver Jeffer's son, What We'll Build is dedicated to his daughter and this new title is magical, dreamy and filled with so much love.

It begins with big hands and small hands and a selection of tools (hammers and crayons side by side), and sees a father tell his daughter about the life they will build together. There will be moments of wonder and moments which aren't so easy, but father and daughter will face them together whatever they may be.

The poetry which runs through this is beautiful, Oliver Jeffers voices the words of hope, beauty, excitement and love we all want to say to our children. And oh my, his illustrations are stunning. I mean if you've ever picked up a Jeffers' book you know that, but honestly, the vast scene of a deep blue, starry sky filled with planets and a huge ship crashing through the waves are just something else.

A truly special book to read to the most special little people in our lives.

What’s not to love: this book is by Oliver Jeffers!!

I requested this book because i am a huge Oliver Jeffers fan and adore his wonderful illustrations. This book contains even more glorious coloured illustrations than normal. There are so many small details you can spend hours pouring over the pictures alone.

The story is a lovely message of working together and building a safe place for the future. It teaches inclusion in the face of adversity. The notion ‘we will build some love to set aside’ will remain with me long after finishing this amazing book.

A new picture book from Jeffers is always something to get excited about. He tells such charming tales in a simple and yet majestic way. What We'll Build is a charming story to inspire and captivate young readers and for those that want to nurture them.

It’s another gem from a master illustrator & storyteller. His stunning illustrations stand out like a polished diamond in a pile of chipped rocks, they are sumptuous.

'What shall we build, you and I?'

Just when you think Oliver Jeffers' work can't get any better, he releases yet another stunner. Every bit as wonderful as his other books 'What We'll Build' is the story of parenthood; the hopes and dreams we have for our children's futures, the protection we give them and the sharing of ever-lasting love.

Jeffers wrote this book for his daughter Mari and it is the story of a father and daughter exploring the endless possibilities and adventures that they can enjoy as they build their lives together.

The story begins with the father and daughter building a door, symbolic of the many doors we can open for our children as parents and educators. Open doors stand for opportunity, hope and positivity which are recurrent themes in the book.

The father-daughter duo build their home, the only material thing they construct, and then they invest their time in the importance of building love, hope, resilience, forgiveness and warmth. The tools are laid out at the very beginning, a selection of hammers, saws, drills (and a tiny pink pig!) from a shiny, red toolbox but we come to realise that the real 'tools' we need as parents when building our futures together are trust, comfort, compassion, unconditional love. The toolbox appears throughout the book as if to remind us that we carry these tools around with us on our parenting journey.

The striking illustrations in Jeffers' instantly-recognisable signature style are simply delightful and so detailed that each time of reading you will notice something new. Young children will enjoy spotting the little pink pig throughout the story and the penguin, a well-loved recurring character in Jeffers' books makes an appearance.

The image of the daughter's tiny hands alongside her father's on the very first page caused me to reflect on how much my own children (5 and 7 years) have grown already and the importance of enjoying every minute I have with them. The final image of the father's hands holding those teeny-tiny hands in his gave me a lump in my throat - as parents, we really do hold our children's futures in the palm of our hands and sometimes it feels such an over-whelming responsibility crafting, shaping and assembling their dreams so that they can live their best possible life. It is also a reminder that our children shape our lives for the better and our hopes, aspirations and interests are intertwined.

In the classroom, 'What We'll Build' is a great starting point for Primary-age children to articulate their hopes and aspirations for the future and the 'tools' they might need to achieve them. This is the perfect accompaniment to 'Here We Are: plans for Our Together Future' that many schools, including my own are using as a whole school text this September. Once again, Oliver Jeffers has created a book that can be appreciated on many different levels, again making it versatile enough to be enjoyed across school.

'What We'll Build' is a timeless classic in the making for every parent and educator building a future for the children in their care.

With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children's Books for providing me with a digital copy of the book to review in advance of publication.

I was so excited to be approved for this. I love Oliver Jeffers' work and have been looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint, but then his books never do. Beautiful illustrations and his perfect way with words as usual. Can't wait to get a 'real' copy!