In What If You Could?, Jacinda Ardern adapts the ideas and experiences from her memoir A Different Kind of Power for a younger audience, offering an accessible and encouraging look at her journey from childhood to becoming Prime Minister of New Zealand. Through a series of short chapters, Ardern shares moments from her life that demonstrate that success rarely follows a straightforward path - and that the qualities we sometimes see as weaknesses can be incredibly powerful.
Insecurity, overthinking, worrying and empathy are all explored through Ardern's experiences, challenging the idea that being strong means being confident, fearless or certain. Instead, the book suggests that listening, caring about others, adapting to unexpected circumstances and remaining true to personal values can be equally important forms of strength.
The short, easily accessible chapters make the book particularly appealing to younger readers, while the stories from Ardern's childhood and political career provide plenty of opportunities for connection. Seeing a well-known political figure as a child - someone who also experienced uncertainty, made mistakes and wondered whether she was capable of achieving her goals - makes the message feel more tangible and relatable.
At its heart, What If You Could? asks young readers to consider a deceptively simple question: What could you do if you believed you were capable of trying? Ardern's own experiences become a vehicle for encouraging readers to embrace who they are, recognise their own strengths and remain open to the unexpected possibilities ahead.
An encouraging and accessible introduction to the idea that strength doesn't always look the way we expect it to.
Title: What If You Could
Author: Jacinda Ardern
Publisher: Penguin, $26.99
Publication Date: 2 June, 2026
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781776953448
For ages: 11+
Type: Middle Grade
