The Wish Tree

by Kyo Maclear (Author) Chris Turnham (Illustrator)

The Wish Tree
Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

Charles wants to find a wish tree. His brother and sister don't believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways.

The poetic text and heartwarming illustrations evoke the true essence of the holiday season and will inspire wishers everywhere. This gem of a book deserves center stage year round.

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Kirkus

Turnham’s digital illustrations are well-composed, and Charles and Boggan are an appealing if unlikely pair. Sweet in mood but incomplete in logic.

Publishers Weekly

A boy named Charles traverses the winter woods in search of a "wish tree," accompanied by Boggan, his red toboggan. Along the way, they assist friendly animals in need: Charles uses Boggan to transport hazelnuts to Squirrel's tree, birch logs to Beaver's lodge, and berries to Fox's burrow, among other mini-missions. These generous expenditures of time cut into Charles's efforts to find the wish tree; as evening approaches, the animals repay his kindness by bringing him to a snow-covered pine tree in the woods. There, Charles hangs a wish on a branch, and the animals celebrate with an outdoor feast, complete with a hazelnut souffle and birch tea. Newcomer Turnham brings a soft retro-meets-modern aesthetic to the pages in digital drawings that feature creamy snowdrifts accented by sunset shades of pale peach, pink, and violet. Along with Maclear's (The Good Little Book) gently repeating language and subtle anthropomorphism (" 'La-di-da-di-da-di-daaaa, ' sang Charles. 'Whishhhhh, ' sang Boggan"), the result is a story that hums with understated everyday magic. Ages 2-4. Author's agent: Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. Illustrator's agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency. (Sept.)

Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Charles's brother and sister tell him there is no such thing as a wish tree, but that doesn't stop him from taking his trusty sled Boggan on a quest to find one. Singing some notes of an unnamed song ("la-di-das" that can be applied to any tune, finished with Boggan's soothing "whishhhhh"), Charles optimistically sets off across a wintry landscape colored with pleasing, muted shades of blue-gray paths through the snow and tree branches of dusty rose. With the whole day ahead of them, the boy and his sled make frequent stops to help animals get food and supplies to their homes--wood to Beaver's lodge, berries to Fox's burrow, and so on. When Charles becomes weary and falls asleep on Boggan, the animals return the kindness by not only taking him to the wish tree--an unadorned white pine that exudes quiet magic and wonder--but also preparing a delicious night feast for all to share. VERDICT Not an overtly holiday story, but one that's full of warmth and cheer that only the best of friends and the spirit of giving can provide.--Joanna Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes



Kyo Maclear
Kyo Maclear is a critically acclaimed, award-winning author for big people and little people. Her previous picture books for children include Spork, Mr. Flux and Virginia Wolf, which won the Governor General's Literary Award for Illustration, Canada's most prestigious children's book prize. The Letter Opener, her first novel for adults, won the K.M. Hunter Artists Award and was shortlisted for the Amazon.ca/Books in Canada First Novel Award. Her most recent novel, Stray Love, appeared on several notable "Best of 2012" lists. She lives in Toronto with singer and composer David Wall and their two children. Visit her online at kyomaclearkids.com.

Julie Morstad is an author, illustrator and artist living in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her most recent book for children, How To, marks her authorial debut, and has received starred reviews in Kirkus, School Library Journal and Quill & Quire, as well as a Governor General's award nomination. Books she has illustrated for children include When You Were Small, recipient of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award; When I Was Small, winner of the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize; and Singing Away the Dark, which was shortlisted for a number of children's literature prizes.
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9781452150659
Lexile Measure
480
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Chronicle Books
Publication date
September 27, 2016
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Winter
Helpfulness
Wishes
Helping behavior

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