The Wish Tree

July 18, 2016
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 soufflé 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.

July 15, 2016
A boy, his sled, and a fantasy about a very special tree: could it possibly be true?It's a very snowy winter, and young Charles wants to find "a wish tree." Both his brother and sister say there's "no such thing." So Charles asks Boggan (a sleek toboggan whose front looks a bit like a face, the rope handle a convenient smile), who thinks there must surely be a wish tree. So off the duo sets. They help a friendly red squirrel gather hazelnuts, bring birch wood on Boggan for a beaver's new lodge, and gather berries to help a fox fill her burrow. But the wish tree is nowhere to be found, and half the day is over. All this work and the darkening day make Charles tired, and he lies down on Boggan for a nap. When he wakes up, it's late, and all the animals have gathered. Most significant of all, there's the wish tree right in front of Charles, gleaming white. Charles writes his wish on a piece of paper and ties it around a branch. He and the forest animals enjoy a holiday feast before it's time for Charles and Boggan to be on their way. Though textual repetition and onomatopoeia make this easy on the tongue, the whimsy of Maclear's tale feels strained, and its lessons are murky. Turnham's digital illustrations are well-composed, and Charles and Boggan are an appealing if unlikely pair. Sweet in mood but incomplete in logic. (Picture book. 3-6)

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October 1, 2016

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

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