9 Magic Wishes

by Shirley Jackson, Miles Hyman (Illustrator)

Magical new illustrations for a story by the author of The Lottery

A girl is given nine wishes by a mysterious magician, and her choices perfectly capture a childlike imagination. For example, wish one is for an orange pony with a purple tail; wish two is for a squirrel holding a nut that opens and inside is a Christmas tree; wish eight is for a little box and inside is another box and inside is another box and inside is another box and inside that is an elephant . . . But the girl is hard pressed to make a ninth wish, and instead leaves it on a rock for some other lucky person to find.

Miles Hyman, who is the grandson of Shirley Jackson, has created paintings that capture the enchantment of the text, which was first published with different pictures in 1963 and has long been out of print.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Short Stories, Horror

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Shirley Jackson was an influential American author. A popular writer in her time, her work has received increasing attention from literary critics in recent years. She has influenced such writers as Stephen King, Nigel Kneale, and Richard Matheson.

She is best known for her dystopian short story, "The Lottery" (1948), which suggests there is a deeply unsettling underside to bucolic, smalltown America. In her critical biography of Shirley Jackson, Lenemaja Friedman notes that when Shirley Jackson's story "The Lottery" was published in the June 28, 1948, issue of The New Yorker, it received a response that "no New Yorker story had ever received." Hundreds of letters poured in that were characterized by, as Jackson put it, "bewilderment, speculation and old-fashioned abuse."

Jackson's husband, the literary critic Stanley Edgar Hyman, wrote in his preface to a posthumous anthology of her work that "she consistently refused to be interviewed, to explain or promote her work in any fashion, or to take public stands and be the pundit of the Sunday supplements. She believed that her books would speak for her clearly enough over the years." Hyman insisted the darker aspects of Jackson's works were not, as some critics claimed, the product of "personal, even neurotic, fantasies", but that Jackson intended, as "a sensitive and faithful anatomy of our times, fitting symbols for our distressing world of the concentration camp and the Bomb", to mirror humanity's Cold War-era fears. Jackson may even have taken pleasure in the subversive impact of her work, as revealed by Hyman's statement that she "was always proud that the Union of South Africa banned The Lottery', and she felt that they at least understood the story".

In 1965, Jackson died of heart failure in her sleep, at her home in North Bennington Vermont, at the age of 48.

Reviews

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird and I wish there were some context. But still enjoyable. I love that she has a black cat and that it's in every picture.

[LindaJ^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not realize Shirley Jackson had written a children's book until I read Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life. It being the season of the year when I need to purchase a few books for youngsters, I decided to check this one out. I liked it. I think it would appeal most to children with vivid imaginations. I liked the illustrations - perfect for those of us who see things just a bit differently -- blue sun, green sky, a tiger in a box small enough to fit into your pocket. It will go into the giving book pile for this year.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last night I realized the library copy of Jackson’s The Sundial I’d requested must’ve disappeared. In lieu of it, while waiting for a copy of The Sundial I bought, I downloaded two of her works for younger readers.

In this picture book, Jackson’s imaginative words can be read to very young readers. The generous narrator provides a gentle twist of an ending.

*

All of the editions are listed as having 48 pages; the one I read has only 18, but I don’t think it’s missing anything.

[Kristina Hurd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been on a Shirley Jackson kick recently and I was intrigued by the idea of a children's book by her!

It was just okay, not even close to being my favorite thing by her and it felt pretty lacking as a children's story as well.

2 stars - meh. There are much better things by Shirley Jackson out there and much better children's books, so this fell flat.

[Jessie Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Cute book. Short but sweet.

[Kristin Boldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully weird.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whimsical and quirky; just like the day this little girl has. Nice illustrations.

[Emma Beckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care for the illustrations at all, but Shirley's gorgeous words are everything.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackson is one of my all-time favorite writers, and one of the things I admire most is her breadth, and the talent in each work across her many-layered spectrum. I imagine the most delicate of spider silks connecting characters that live in different books. In "9 Magic Wishes," the narrator reminds me of a younger version of the girls in "The Lovely House," and while there's no evidence that there is any connection between the two, it unfurls more glittering threads in a 3-dimensional alternative reality that Jackson has given us; or, at least, me.

I have the 2001 edition, which is illustrated by Jackson's grandson, the artist Miles Hyman. It's a treasure, and the consistent presence of one (arguably minor) character who does not speak added a new frame of delight for me. I'd read the original 1963 edition years ago, but don't yet own a copy. I'm thrilled to have this one, which is a beautiful tribute to imagination, curiosity, mystery, and Jackson herself, brought to life by Miles, the Shirley Jackson Estate, publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux - and, of course, Shirley herself.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A child experiences an very funny day when a magician unexpectedly appears on her street, offering her 9 wishes. She makes remarkable wishes, such as having a squirrel with a nut containing a Christmas tree, a garden filled with candy flowers, and a tiny zoo that fits right in her pocket, among others. The book boasts illustrations by a well-known artist of the time; however, the style resembles that of a child’s artwork, which is intriguing given the illustrator's age in her forties. The story is straightforward and designed for young readers—it's neither scary nor overtly complex, but rather a joyous tale celebrating the magic of wishes, something every child dreams about from time to time. There is little information available regarding why Shirley chose to write this particular picture book, but it originally formed part of the "Modern Master Books for Children" series in 1963.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't understand when I picked this up that it was aimed at children quite as young and it does do some basic things an introductory board book would do, such as reaffirm repetition, counting and good societal behaviour (in the character not taking the final wish). However, between the very, very basic story and frankly terrible art (I understand they might have been going for a childlike feel, but it wasn't necessary to have them be as they were), I wouldn't purchase this for any young children I know. I'm not sure what Shirley Jackson was trying to achieve with this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming story comes from Shirley Jackson, author of many articles on family life, mother of four, and accomplished novelist. It starts with the tale of a magician who comes to town to grant nine wishes and unfurls into a sweet story of everything a kid could ask for.

More recommendations from me at www.jennifrefrostwrites.com

[Mary Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could not find this specific edition with these illustrations, but I did find the version that was illustrated by Lorraine Fox.

This shows no matter how old a girl is, or what time period they were alive in, we all just want a little box inside of another box inside of another box. A delightfully odd children’s book that I will definitely show my nieces and nephew.

[Kayla Dubuque · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate this book because it allows for young readers to use their imagination. This teaches children about friendship and how to make good decisions. This teachers young readers about real-life. Students could even can relate to this book!

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one is just bizarre - there's no context for anything. But, the illustrations are beautiful.

[Leslie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Jackson, so I thought this would be a similar read. Didn't realize it was a children's book.

[Julie]

Just exploring the work of this author.

[Sofi ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTHING CAN TOP THIS BOOK EVER IN ETERNITY

[Sherilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible and free imagination!
Ends with hope...for the reader's wish..

[Lucy Sansbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. But do you think if the clown sneezes the butterfly will fly away?

[Amy K · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet brief trip inside of a child's imagination.

[zahraa al lawati · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Shirley Jackson, ofc I’ll read it.

[Dea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical, wonderful, sweet.

[Cherina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Summary: On a very funny day, a magician shows up at the narrator's house. He offers her nine wishes. She only uses up eight, wishing for a pony, a clown, a squirrel and nut, a candy garden, a snowman, a tiny zoo, a silver ship, and a bunch of boxes with an elephant inside. The magician leaves the ninth wish on a rock for someone else to find and then goes away.

Uses: independent reading for early readers; a counting book for students

Social issues: girl shows how unselfish she is by only taking eight of the nine wishes

Literary Devices: hyperbole

Other: Beautiful, beautiful illustration, but poor storyline

[Selah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The quirky story is exactly the type of picture book I'd expect from Shirley Jackson. Other reviewers rave about Lorraine Fox's illustrations, but they do nothing for me. If Fox was 7 when she drew them, I'd be impressed.

[Melloncollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My very favorite book as a child, but I have the 1963 edition with the sublime illustrations by Lorraine Fox. I have been looking for a copy for my sister for years.

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only are these pictures gorgeous, a little reminiscent of Chris Van Allsburg’s work, but the story is very sweet. Simple yet bursting with imagination.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for discussion both about the choices the character made and about what the reader's choices would be.