You and Me and the Wishing Tree

by Nancy Tillman

We woke up in the usual way,
but it was not a usual day.
Out on the lawn, plain as could be,
stood an orange wishing tree.
"I wish!" I said. "I wish!" said you.
And so our double wishes grew.

Wishes are a magical part of childhood. Whether we wish on stars or blow out candles on a cake, our dreams matter. Nancy Tillman captures the wonder of wishes as only she can, with love.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Family, Poetry, Animals, Love

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2016

About the author

Nancy Tillman created her first book, "On the Night You Were Born," to convey to children at an early and impressionable age, "You are the one and only ever you." Since then, Nancy has written and illustrated several bestselling books. She also illustrated It's Time to Sleep, My Love, with Eric Metaxas. Together, Nancy's books have sold in the millions. A former advertising executive, Tillman now writes and illustrates full-time.

Whether she is creating books that remind children of their own unique wonder, or teaching life lessons through an accident prone cat named Tumford, all of Nancy's books feature one important message. You are loved. She lives in Tualatin, Oregon.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/nancyt...

http://nancytillman.com

http://nancytillmanblog.com

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Nancy Tillman books are so beautiful and I love the surreal nature of this story. We start off with a wishing tree granting wishes and the kids begin to fly. There are mythical creatures granting wishes like unicorns and all these wishes are coming true. I don’t know the book is really saying much. It’s a simple wish fulfillment story with a sort of cheesy end, and I like the end.

The artwork is lovely with strange colors and interesting friends. I don’t know there is a lot here, but I find it interesting.

The nephew enjoyed the strangeness of the story, but he thought it was rather silly too. He gave this 2 stars and wanted to read Mario Bros. comics. There you have it.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely writing that had me entranced from page 1 until I was done (and I choked up a little bit because the ending was so sweet- but in a great way, not a eye-rolling kind of way). If I had kids, I would read the hell out of this one to them!

[Maria Shuffit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I judged this book by its cover. The second I saw a little boy in an oversized cape cheering on the back of a rearing unicorn, I knew I had to check this book out from my library.

I also confess that despite her being such a well-loved and prolific author, I think this might be the first Nancy Tillman book I've ever read.

Sweet little story, great pacing, and beautiful illustrations.

Needs more unicorn.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was the most magical day. It began when they awoke and found the orange wishing tree on their front lawn. The parent and child knew it was special as they both made their wishes. Only, it was the child who spoke with excitement their wish and instantly, that wish came true.

Filled with enthusiasm and intensity, the pair is flying through the sky. Witnessing the world from up high, the scenes were breathtaking. The child continues to make wishes that are granted, as their day is filled with magical events that only a child could dream of. It’s quite a fun-filled day but the day must end, as both the child and the parent got their wishes from that magical, orange wishing tree.

What a beautiful picture book! What would you wish for? If you could have a whole day of wishes, what would you do? I enjoyed the bright detailed illustrations in this book and sweet storyline that accompanied it. A great storybook to read to any child.

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this in Publix and picked it up to see what it was and ended up reading it fairly quickly.

The writing is beautiful and really evokes emotions out of you. The story was adorable, the art was beautiful and scenic, and I ended up loving it!

I definitely recommend reading this. It won't take you very long and you won't regret it!

[Pen&Quill Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ Quill's thoughts...

This is your typically delightful Nancy Tillman book. About a child ( not gender specific ) and parent who wake up one morning to find a magic wishing tree on their front lawn. They both make wishes but while the parent keeps their wish quite and secret the little one has no trouble declaring their desires loudly and just like that they are flying over the land and sea, making friends with some interesting and magical creatures and playing all sorts of fantastical games. But then as the day draws to a close, and our little wish makers eyes grow heavier and havier, they ask their parent what their wish had been. And they reply " my wish was spending the day with you"

This was so fun! The pictures are gorgeous, the story magical, the sentiment sweet. I recommend to anyone who likes magic picture books and unicorns. 🦄

[Ivy Paul-Van Os · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all the children's books
as if I were reading them to him...

"As you drifted off to sleep, you whispered,
'Did your wish come true?'
I whispered back, 'My little one,
my wish was just to be with you.'"

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover promises to reveal the delights of wishing and having an imagination, and that's exactly what this picture book does. As a young boy makes various wishes--to fly and to become invisible, for instance--those wishes come true, and he has quite an adventure. His companion, a doting mother, also has her own wish, which is to spend time with him. Although most readers will be touched by the sentiments expressed here and reach for tissues because of her devotion, I sort of felt sad for different reasons. While I'm glad she loves the child and wants to spend time with him, surely she has other wishes for herself and the rest of the world as well. But perhaps that's just the cynic in me. The book follows the pattern of most of this author's other books, spreading love and constantly affirming its readers that they are loved, not a bad message when all is said and done. The digital artwork is visually appealing and shows attention to detail She describes her process in this way on the copyright page: "Layers of illustrative elements are first individually created, then merged to form a composite. At this point, texture and mixed media (primarily chalk, watercolor, and pencil) are applied to complete each illustration." It all adds up to a distinctive look. Personally, I am more a fan of the two Tumford books, which feature a somewhat rude cat. But this picture book will certainly fly off the book shelves since its message is so very positive.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok... Love Nancy Tillman. We have the Tumford books, night you were born, here for a reason and spirit of Christmas. But Full disclosure, we ordered this one because of the unicorn on the cover. After we finished the book, favorite granddaughter and I spent the next hour talking about "wishes". She had a lot of wishes both big and small. One of the wishes was so poignant and prefect yet very personal. You can learn a little something when you least expect it.

[EronMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read Nancy Tillman’s books, they remind me of the kingdom of God. This one was for my daughter who loves unicorns, and believes they exist in heaven. I felt joy reading to her about all the wishes that will one day come true in heaven, whatever her little heart desires. The artwork is so creative and what I imagine heaven will be like.

Also, my sentiments were exactly as the last page read.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it just me, or are all new picture books changing a little at a time? The last two new ones include writing on the front or back inside cover as part of the story. This book You & Me & The Wishing Tree was just released this past month. We loved it. We enjoy Nancy Tillman's talent in storytelling and especially in illustrating. The pictures are gorgeous.

[Valleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved absolutely everything about this book: illustrations, poetic words, touching depiction of the bonds a mother and child share. Every night, I would gladly read this book to my little ones until they were fast asleep in their own dream worlds, safe and sound. Nancy Tillman has perfected her craft and it shows in this book.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredibly sweet story. This will make a great lap read, because the illustrations have some really fun details. I think it can also be used as a readaloud, and would provide an opportunity to discuss how the illustrations contribute to the story.

*I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*

[Whole And · Rating 4 out of 5]

A yummy book to completely nourish the imagination and leave you feeling tingly all over.
The wishing tree is a magical experience where "every wish is wishable" and makes the world a spectacular place. The colours are stunning and images are dazzling. This book truly makes on feel loved which is the author's clear intention.

[Donna]

YOU AND ME AND THE WISHING TREE I found this book magical and heartwarming from first page to last. It's right up there with Nancy Tillman's The Night You Were Born. Just love it :)

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a huge Nancy Tillman fan, but this book is probably my favorite of hers. I like the sense of adventure, and the style of illustration is...okay. It would lead to a nice discussion of wishes, and the perfect "day off" a child would want.

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young child and his father use the wishing tree to launch a series of adventures that let them spend an imaginative day full of adventures. When the day is done, and all the child's dreams come true, he asks his father what his wish had been. What do you think it was?

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful imaginative illustrations coupled with a whimsical story make You and Me and the Wishing Tree a fantastic read. A book I hope joins our personal home library soon, I absolutely loved reading this book to my 2 and 7 year olds.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The board book version of the larger picture book is just as encouraging as the original one. How could anyone help but feel loved and cherished and feel content after reading this book, filled with softly-colored, imaginative images.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fanciful illustrations enhance this charming book about wishes coming true between for a child and parent.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely celebration of imagination and time spent with a child.

[Miss Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poem to show how special the bond between parent and child is.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love all the Nancy Tillman books but this one just didn't really pull me in. Not that it was bad, just not my favorite of her's.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this, though the circus tent I wasn't so keen on.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poem to show how special the bond between parent and child is.

[Michelle Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story and illustrations

Sweet story and beautiful pictures! Look forward to reading to my baby girl and sharing with other families! Love her books!

[Melinda Weprin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art work

[Ian McHugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun story with unicorns. “I would wish to fly too Daddy” was how Florence described her wish.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book.