Jane Wishing

by Tobi Tobias, Trina Schart Hyman

Jane wishes for better looks, talent, a friend, a kitten, a room of her own--but decides to be happy anyway.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

Unbound

First published May 9, 1977

Reviews

[Summer Cull · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jane, Wishing is a beautifully illustrated story about a young girl who wishes of a life very different than the one she has. She wishes her hair was a different color, her name was different, she was an only child, that she had her own room, etc. The story was actually quite depressing because Jane did not seem to be content with any aspect of her life. The resolution of the story came so suddenly, it did not resolve the book in the positive light it was supposed to. Instead, I was left feeling distressed for Jane because it seemed she was settling for her life rather than striving for her goals and dreams. However, the format in which the book was written was unlike any I had seen before. Jane would express her dream or wish on one page, and the next would depict her life through different comments made by her family members essentially diminishing those dreams. The most enjoyable aspect of this book was the illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman, a combination of graphite and color pencil. The illustrations seemed almost unfinished, but the effect made the pictures seem raw and almost whimsical.
I would use this book in my classroom to introduce self-esteem. I would explain to the students that it does not matter what we look like or what we can/cannot do, because those who love us don't mind or imperfections.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jane wishes she were... well, a sort of 1970's girl Mary Sue, with red hair and blue-green eyes and delicate white skin, an only child with her own room and a special musical talent and of course the kind of demeanor that makes people want to do things for her... But, well, she's an ordinary tween girl who lives with her parents, grandmother, older sister and younger brother, all of whom have dismissive comments to make about her wishes. Reading this as an adult, I squirmed for my tweenaged self who had exactly that problem and was deeply offended by exactly the same kinds of comments from family... but Jane, at least, at the end, "decided to be happy anyway. And she was."

I love the illustrations, of course, but the text... well, it reminds me of the time I stumbled across a school psychologist's report from my tweenage years in a drawer. The psychologist irritatedly summed up all that was wrong with me was 'being spoiled.' Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. But boy, was that a sucker punch!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sounds silly, but this book spoke to me when I read it as a child. I felt exactly like the main character Jane; always day dreaming and believing I was really something extraordinary (and not just an average girl). It helped me understand that it was ok to pretend, but to also believe I was very special and totally unique. Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations are lovely and luxurious. This book is something every little girl will be sure to enjoy.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustrations, this is why I bought the book 20+ years ago. I'm not a huge fan of the story, its okay but not super. My nearly 4 year old daughter loves it because she is as enchanted as I am by the art.

[Astraea · Rating 3 out of 5]

"But she wasn't/didn't have those things, so she decided to be happy anyway." There's no "and she was" -- it looks like Jane settles for what she has because she can never have what she wants. It's the good ol' '70s "happiness is a choice" ending. We're never shown how Jane seeks happiness in her less-than-ideal environment. It's implied she merely counts her blessings -- and to be fair she does have some -- a house (this is back when working-class people could afford their own home, like in All in the Family), enough food (likewise), an education, both parents (overworked but caring), siblings (important later in life if they can help and support one another) and a grandmother (connection to the past, could be interesting later).

But is that enough? And can Jane find or create any of the things she desires? Here, I'm going to do what they now call "interrogating the text" a bit more.

Look at the "real world" conversations with the family. For some of Jane's wishes, someone in the family agrees. When she wants to change her name, her sister tells her that is possible, and she's going to change her own name to Deirdre. Later, she knows why Kate Jordan is special. Grandma always wanted a kitten, too. Dad knows about wishing you were an only child -- "brothers and sisters sound great until you have them." Mom points out that Jane does have an artistic gift, she paints very well, and she suggests Kate Jordan is shy and Jane could reach out to her. She smacks down the rest of Jane's dreams, maybe because they're too close to her own.

Jane can't have some of her wishes now, but should she give them up? Of course not. Many of them are realistic. She should keep them as goals for the future. A whole second book could be devoted to that, and to her quest for her desires. And it would be a quest, with Jane having to be an active agent in getting what she wants. Get her a telescope and some henna rinse.

Two stars, plus an extra one for Trina Schart Hyman's marvellous illustrations.

Molly

[Nikki Minnichbach]

My mother bought this for me as a girl. it spoke to me. I am buying a copy today from Amazon for my ten year old niece. Hope it spans the generations