Victoria Rock has acquired world rights at auction to The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear (l.), illustrated by Chris Turnham, which illuminates the beauty one finds in giving. Publication is scheduled for fall 2016; Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator in the two-book, six-figure deal.
Kyo Maclear is an essayist, novelist and children’s author. She was born in London, England and moved to Toronto at the age of four with her British father (a foreign correspondent and documentary filmmaker) and Japanese mother (a painter and art dealer).
Her books have been translated into eighteen languages, published in over twenty-five countries, and garnered nominations from the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction, the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards, the Amazon.ca First Novel Award, the National Magazine Awards, among other honours.
Unearthing: a Story of Tangled Love and Family Secrets (2023) was a national bestseller and awarded the Governor General’s Literary Award for Nonfiction. Her hybrid memoir Birds Art Life (2017) was a #1 National Bestseller and winner of the Trillium Book Award and the Nautilus Book Award for Lyrical Prose. It was named one of the best books of 2017 by The Globe and Mail, CBC, Now Magazine, the National Post, Forbes, the Chicago Review of Books, and Book Riot.
Her work has appeared in Orion Magazine, Brick, Border Crossings, The Millions, LitHub, The Volta, Prefix Photo, Resilience, The Guardian, Lion’s Roar, Azure, The Globe and Mail, and elsewhere. She has been a national arts reviewer for Canadian Art and a monthly arts columnist for Toronto Life.
Kyo holds a doctorate in environmental humanities teaches creative writing with The Humber School for Writers and the University of Guelph Creative Writing MFA.
She lives in Tkaronto/Toronto, on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the New Credit, the Haudenosaunee, Métis, and the Huron-Wendat.
I love stories like this. 1, it’s set in a snow filled wonderland, 2 the protagonist declares they want something odd or strange that isn’t tangible, in this case a Wish Tree, 3 the other people say you can’t do that or it isn’t there 4 most IMPORTANTLY, the character doesn’t believe them and sets out anyway. 5 there is a journey, usually filled with Heart where they help others along the way, 6 all seems lost 7 The wish is granted.
I love the artwork in this book. I love that the child calls the sled Boggin and it has a bit of a name and that we can see the boys journey from the trail left in the snow. I love the animals that are meet in the woods. I adore the ending. This book touches that magic place inside me and my heart blooms.
The children can pick up the wonder and excitement in my voice as I’m reading the story and sometimes I think that helps to make a story better for them. They did enjoy the story. The niece appreciated the artwork and the nephew liked seeing the animals, but I don’t think it touched the same place inside them as it did in me. It must have to do with my archetypes being different from theirs. The nephew gave this 3 stars while the niece gave it 4 stars - practically a rave review for her.
Charles wants to find a wish tree but his siblings tell him that there's no such thing. Charles and his toboggan which he calls Boggan believe that surely there is such a thing and start the journey to find it. On the way Charles and Boggan sing along and follow each other and they come across various animals doing different thing.
Charles gets tired and falls asleep. When Charles wakes up, it's snowing and also finds the wishing tree and all the animals sitting together having a feast. Charles writes a wish on a piece of paper and ties it to a tree and slowly makes his way back with Boggan.
This was a simple yet heart-warming story. I loved Charles' belief, his cute relationship with his toboggan, his journey, his experiences on the way and how it all ends and above all I loved the art.
Sweet, quiet story of a young boy looking for a wish tree. Though he walks all day, he doesn't find it. He does, however, help a number of animals and their families haul berries and other forage home with his toboggan.
the art work was lovely, delicate was used in a previous review and that word is perfect. I thought the story just a bit confusing close to the end. I adored how his friend was the toboggan.
THE WISH TREE is the type of book I would share with young children at reading time. You should note though that it is written at the middle-2nd Grade reading level and there is also a AR test available for it. So it can be used as a practice reader. [Accelerated Reader 2.4 --Quiz #186017 ]
~ I thought this was a very attractive brook. The cover is lovely and the inside art features adorable animals. There's red squirrels, bear and cub, beaver, birds, foxes, owls, and mice and they are so darn cute.
The story isn't precisely clear which is part of the fun. It starts with a little boy named Charles. He wants to find a wishing tree so he asks his sister and brother. The two older siblings just brush him off, saying there is no such thing. That's when he asks his toboggan what it thinks. You can tell that the young boy has a working and friendly relationship with 'Boggan' because it says that surely there must be such a thing. And so they set out.
They climb hills and then slide down. They are looking for the Wish Tree as they go, but they get distracted by the needs of others. The red squirrel, for example, needs help to get it's nuts to the tree and we see Boggan loaded with nuts and the resulting happy squirrels nestled in their tree with plenty of treats.
Boggan and Boy continue to help animals until it starts to get dark, then they head home. Before they get there, the boy falls asleep and the animals appear. It's not entirely clear whether the events that follow are dream or not. I'd be tempted to spin the story one way or another at different times to see what children think.
Older children can, of course, be urged to give their own interpretations and you can then look to see if there are clues in the artwork.
Lovely sweet sentiment. If you need a set and clear story this might be a book better found at the library. The artwork though is very appealing, and there is a chance to use it as a practice reader so for the right audience it might suit for home or classroom shelves.
Ignoring the naysaying of his brother and sister, Charles heads out into the woods one wintry day, together with Boggan, his reliable sled, to hunt for the Wish Tree. The two encounter many animals along the way, always stopping to help them with their tasks, and when they finally do find what they are seeking, Charles' wish is granted. The story concludes with a beautiful , and Charles and Boggan head home...
A lovely little winter fantasy, The Wish Tree pairs an engaging story about a young boy out in the snowy woods with charming illustrations that capture the beauty of the world around him, and the appeal of the various animals he encounters. I really enjoyed the scene with the , as it reminded me a bit of Akiko Miyakoshi's The Tea Party in the Woods. Predictably, I also greatly enjoyed the depiction of the beautiful fox! Recommended to picture-book readers looking for fantastic wintry tales.
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 colors used in this book was my favorite! The light wintery tones of purples, blues, and reds were gorgeous! Any books illustrated with foxes--send my way, they are the cutest animals! I enjoyed this sweet story as well and I liked that his friend was a red sled. Highly recommend!
Charles is on a mission to find the wish tree even though his brother and sister both doubt one exists. He spends the day outside with his toboggan helping forest animals carry various loads of materials and just when he runs out of energy to finish his quest, he finds that the forest animals return the many favors Charles did them by pulling his toboggan to the wish tree and preparing a feast for all to share.
A sweet story with a lovely ending all imagined in delightfully snowy digital illustrations. PreK-2.
This was a super sweet little story with wonderful illustrations. I think it would be a hit with little listeners. I might try it as a read aloud with my Kindergarteners.
A story of seeking and adventure and kindness along the way. I truly adored this. Fantastic artwork, beautiful story. I will not stop thinking of the really sweet ending
Some maths work here, absolutely love the illustrations but the story accompanying them was so². 5 for the beautiful, perfect for the season illustrations and 2⅔ for the story, overall - 4¾°c
Even though his older brother and sister told Charles there was no such thing as a wish tree, he was still determined to find it. With the whole day ahead of him and armed with his trusty sled, Boggan, Charles goes off to the woods to find the wish tree. Along the way, he meets a squirrel who needs help getting his hazelnuts to his home, a beaver who needs help getting wood his lodge, a fox who needs to get berries to her burrow, and a whole bunch of other woodland creatures needing help. Charles and his Boggan help them all and before he knows it, the day is gone, and it begins to snow. When a very tired Charles falls asleep on Boggan, the animals gather to pull them to the wish tree. After hanging his wish on the tree, Charles sits down to a celebration feast with the animals until it is time to go home. Yes, this story is a fantasy, which is good cause we don't want our kids going into the woods alone, or walking on the frozen pond (but these two things offer a good opportunity to discuss with kids why they should NOT imitate Charles). Whimsical digitally created illustrations, repetition, and onomatopoeia makes this a fun book for young readers.
With its delicate and intricate digital illustrations and tender message about believing in something when no one else seems to, this picture book just might steal its way into readers' hearts. During the winter, Charles is determined to find a wish tree, His siblings are disinterested and tell him there are no wish trees. With his reliable friend, Boggan, a toboggan, he sets forth on his quest anyway. As they wander through the woods, they offer help to various animals, who, in turn, bring him to the wish tree where his wish is granted, and the new friends have quite a feast. The story itself reminds readers about looking outside themselves and their own single-minded determination to reach goals. Sometimes the journey and what happens along the way is more important than getting there. Too bad Charles's siblings weren't believers in a little magic too.
Young Charles and Boggan head out in search of a wish tree. His siblings say there is no such thing, but Charles believes. They scour the country side, helping squirrels, beavers and many others along the way. As nightfall nears, Charles becomes tired and Charles can no longer search. Boggan carries him, while the animals pull them along. Snow appears, and so does a wish tree!
An imaginative story of a boy who believes and perseveres on his quest to find a wish tree. It’s filled with delightful word plays and repetitions. Boggan is Charles’ toboggan and everywhere it goes, it sings, “Whishhhhh.” Children will delight in figuring out, “Where Charles went Boggan followed. Where Boggan went Charles followed.” A great adventure for a snowy day read.
The Wish Tree is Sweet and soothing , completely entrancing , and with a wonderful and subtle moral, about kindness and helping others. BEAUTIFUL illustrations that interact and balance perfectly with the words of the story <3 I got to read this story as a catch-up assignment with a student (I'm a TA:). A part of the project was a worksheet with comprehensive questions from the story. One question was "What do you think Charles (the protagonist) wished for?" my student was completely floored by this question and seemed to think it was irrelevant haha. Eventually, he came to the conclusion that he had wished for the wish tree (great answer, isnt it?!:) but we both agreed that perhaps what he got along the way (some great friends!) was even better than what he had wished for. <3
A wonderful, and perhaps imaginative, day that a young boy has with his toboggan and a forest full of animals. A scene of a winter's forest feast is a particular highlight.
I love all books that end with a surprise party especially when it involves forest creatures. Also loved the maplike, scrolling lines the toboggan made in the snow and liked its name was Boggan.
Charles and Boggan set off to look for a wish tree. On their journey they find some animal friends that need help for the winter.
This is a very cute tale about friendship, and how giving to others can take us right where we want to be. It's a perfect read for caretakers and children to share during the Holidays or any other day of the year. We can and should always talk to children (and adults, if we have the chance) about the importance of helping each other.
I really enjoyed the book and look forward to many re-reads.
From the time I first read a picture book written by Kyo Maclear- I believe it was Spork a number of years ago!- I have been a major fan of her work. Every time I hear or see the news that the author has a new book out, it is immediately added to my must-read list. The Wish Tree- written by Kyo, and the illustrative debut of Chris Turnham- was, of course, included right away on my reading list! Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I will say that I had the absolutely pleasure of meeting Kyo recently for a library event. The event was for a talk about her background, her picture book process, and her latest picture book, The Wish Tree. It was one of those surreal and wonderful moments for me (as a book enthusiast, reviewer, librarian, lover of books) to meet someone whose work I've held in high esteem for years! Now back to my thoughts on The Wish Tree...!
In the opening of The Wish Tree, we meet Charles and his friend Boggan (a smiling, thoughtful toboggan). Charles is on the search for a wish tree, and while his brother and sister do not believe such a thing exists, Boggan thinks there must be such a thing. So off the two of them go together, deep into the snowy woods. On their way to find a wish tree, Charles and Boggan kindly stop to help animals in need: they help beavers gather birch wood, they help foxes gather berries, and they help a squirrel bring hazelnuts to his home. While it seems as though Boggan and Charles will never find their wish tree before night falls, something wondrous happens involving the animals they have helped that leads to the final search for their wish tree and a celebration in the wintry woods.
Chris Turnham's illustrations- engaging and darling, with an eye for both detail and background- are a terrific match for Kyo's quietly rhythmic, beguiling text. Just one look at Boggan's cheerful can-do face against the backdrop of the snowy woods, with he and Charles singing their song together is but one prime example of how the two artists have melded their vision together. A delightful tale with a dose of magical elements, The Wish Tree is a also a story where parts are left up to the reader and/or listener; certain elements involving Charles' and Boggan's journey to the wish tree and the time with the animals are free to the imagination and thoughts of the reader. I initially had some doubt about how, about two-thirds of the way in, the story seems to swiftly shift gears to the even more fanciful and dreamlike. However, upon rereads and reflection, I find myself more and more appreciative of the wondering and open nature of the story's climax and end.
Overall, The Wish Tree is a winsome picture book about kindheartedness and wonder. It could make for a great seasonal read aloud, a cozy quiet read, or for an on-theme read about friendship and thoughtfulness...and it may even inspire some to create their own variations of a 'wish tree'! Readers who have already read and loved Kyo Maclear's previous titles will undoubtedly enjoy this. Readers who love the slightly fantastical and lovely in their picture books- along the lines of Extra Yarn, Lenny & Lucy, or The Tea Party in the Woods- might especially savour this enchantingly told and adorably illustrated book.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
One day a boy named Charles sets off with his sled named Boggan to find a wish tree. His sister and brother say there’s no such thing, but he’s certain it exists.
As Charles sets off on his adventure he sings a little song and Boggan sings his own song while swishing through the snow. Together they search up on the top of a hill, through the forest, over a pond, and all through a meadow before they find what they are looking for. Along the way they meet and help out lots of animals that live in the wilds, and the animals return the favor by helping Charles.
The Wish Tree with words by Kyo Maclear and illustrations by Chris Turnham is a sweet tale about a boy who follows his heart and ends up getting so much more than he set out to. As Charles searches far and wide, his good nature leads him to notice the creatures he encounters and use his trusty toboggan to help them out.
Illustrations are muted, reflecting the warm and cool colors of winter. Bare tree branches and fields of snow are punctuated with pops of red, representing Boggan, squirrels, berries and a fox. The atmosphere seems to have a warm glow of cozy winter times. It’s perfect for cuddling up to read with your three to six year old.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear is a contemporary realistic fiction children's book. This book could have a wide age range of readers from 3 years old up through elementary. This a simple sweet story that embodies the holiday spirit without any typical christmas celebrations. Charles decided he wanted to find a wish tree so e take is boggan on a journey to find one. On their journey they come across multiple animals that need help, so he helps them. His day continues and he helps more and more animals and he gets tired of looking and falls asleep on his boggan. The animals return the kindess and pull him to where he find his wish tree, where he finally gets to tie his wish on a piece of paper to the tree.
This story is a simple example of the holiday spirit and showing kindness to others. Spending time with friends and celebrating in happiness. This teaches children by example , and they can draw their own conclusions from this story. This would be a great book for discussion questions with students.
In general, I was confused by this story. The author never makes it clear what a wish tree is or how a child would go about looking for one. The beginning of the story shows a child named Charles who wants to find a wish tree in the forest. The idea of a wish tree sounds positive and encouraging. However, the siblings in the story do not believe in wish trees, leading me to believe that a wish tree is not something that actually exists in nature. Also, Charles has a sled named Boggan. The author never makes clear that Boggan is a sled, so I was wondering where Charles’ friend was throughout the whole book. Charles and Boggan come across many different woodland animals who then become their friends. When a wish tree is finally pictured near the end of the book, I am confused by the author’s perception of the tree- it is simply a tree that is white… and it might only be white from the snow. I think the book would’ve been better with further clarification as too much was left to the wondering mind. This might be a good story to read to kids who are incredibly creative.
Did you have a special tree growing up? We did, in fact each of us had one tree on our property that we considered ours. A place we would climb in and play under. That's why I love The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear. It was a reminder for me of days spent high up in the branches wishing and imagining. One day Charles and Boggan set out to find a wish tree. They went up and down together and along the way saw many different animals in need of help but no wish tree. They took the time to help the animals. They walked and search until they could not go another step and then something magical happens. A perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter's day. A book about the kind of magic that comes out of kindness and selflessness. Illustrator Chris Turnham chooses muted colours to perfectly evoke a peaceful winter day and brilliant colours to show the readers all the magic of a wish tree. A great book for all ages and especially our youngest readers. Published by Chronicle Books.
Maclear, K. (2016). The Wish Tree. San Francisco, CA. Chronical Books.
Chris wants to find a wish tree but both his brother and sister tell him that there is no such thing. He goes on a long journey looking for it and grows tired and stops to rest. When he wakes up right in front of the wish tree where he then writes down his wish and hangs ties it to a tree.
This is a cute book with the central theme of not giving up. The textual reputation and the digital illustrations are well-composed throughout the book.
I could implement this book into my class by teaching the students that it's okay to feel judged for believing in something, as long as you understand why you believe in it and go for it then that's all that matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.