Mayakovsky, V. Who to be? (Kem byt'?), 1948. Illustrated by A. Pakhomov. In Russian

Маяковский В. В. Кем быть? / Рисунки А. Пахомова. 
Москва : Полиграфическая фабрика Москворецкого райпромтреста, 1948.
24 с. : ил. Мягкая издательская иллюстрированная обложка, энциклопедический формат (27 см).
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Mayakovsky, V. Who to be? (Kem byt'?). / Illustrations by A. Pakhomov. 
Moscow : Polygraphic Factory of the Moskvoretsky District Promtrest, 1948.
24 pp. : ill. Soft publisher's illustrated cover, encyclopedic format (27 cm). In Russian.

This 1948 edition of Vladimir Mayakovsky's famous children's poem, "Who to Be?", is a notable artifact of the post-war Soviet era. Written in 1928, the poem remains one of the most celebrated works of Soviet children's literature, designed to introduce young readers to the dignity of labor and the vast array of professions available in a socialist society.
The book is distinguished by the illustrations of Alexey Pakhomov (1900–1973), a master of Soviet graphic art and a key member of the "Leningrad School." Pakhomov's style in the late 1940s moved toward a robust, realistic lyricism that perfectly captured the spirit of the post-war reconstruction period. His depictions of carpenters, engineers, doctors, and pilots provided a visual guide for the "preschool age" audience, turning Mayakovsky’s rhythmic staccato verses into a vivid gallery of Soviet life.
This particular edition was produced by the Moskvoretsky District Promtrest Polygraphic Factory in Moscow. Published just three years after the end of World War II, the book served as both an educational tool and an optimistic promise of a peaceful, productive future for the new generation. The large encyclopedic format and full-page illustrations make it a classic example of Soviet pedagogical book design.
For collectors of Soviet children's books, admirers of Mayakovsky’s poetry, and historians of graphic art, this 1948 edition is a valuable acquisition. It showcases the enduring power of Mayakovsky’s message and the artistic skill of Pakhomov during a pivotal moment in Soviet history.