Yes Dear

by Diana Wynne Jones, Graham Philpot (Illustrator)

Kay catches a magic golden leaf and enters a world where dreams are true, but when she tells her family, all of them are too busy to listen and understand - except one.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Magic

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Diana Wynne Jones was a celebrated British writer best known for her inventive and influential works of fantasy for children and young adults. Her stories often combined magical worlds with science fiction elements, parallel universes, and a sharp sense of humor. Among her most beloved books are Howl's Moving Castle, the Chrestomanci series, The Dalemark Quartet, Dark Lord of Derkholm, and the satirical The Tough Guide to Fantasyland. Her work gained renewed attention and readership with the popularity of the Harry Potter series, to which her books have frequently been compared.

Admired by authors such as Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, and J.K. Rowling, Jones was a major influence on the landscape of modern fantasy. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, two Mythopoeic Awards, the Karl Edward Wagner Award, and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. In 2004, Howl's Moving Castle was adapted into an acclaimed animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, further expanding her global audience.

Jones studied at Oxford, where she attended lectures by both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. She began writing professionally in the 1960s and remained active until her death in 2011. Her final novel, The Islands of Chaldea, was completed posthumously by her sister Ursula Jones.

Reviews

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Kay catches a magic leaf, she tries to show her family, but they won't pay attention. She has grand adventures and eventually finds someone to share them with.

To be clear, this is a picture book, so though the story is fun, the pictures are a big part of it. Sadly, the pictures are rather average and the clothes and hairstyles are very '80s (the book was printed in '92), which is always unfortunate and detracts from Kay's adventures.

Content notes: No language issues. In one frame, Kay has mermaids singing to her, and they are lacking in clothing, though they have strategically placed instruments and arms. No violence issues.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to check, but with this book, I think I've now read every published word Diana Wynne Jones produced, from essays to novels to picture books. Which is actually kind of painful, to never get to experience her work for the first time again. This book is fine, I feel like the final page could have had Granny start to tell the wishes she had made on her own magic leaf, instead of such an abrupt end. The pictures could not be more 1980s (why several fanny packs/bum bags?!), which detracts. But it's fine. It's a read aloud once, stick on a shelf, forget about it, eventually donate it book. Unless you're a DWJ completist.

[Sula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a Diana Wynne Jones-completionist. A sweet story, but perhaps ends a little abruptly. Illustrations rather let it down, they aren't bad but they don't celebrate the magical aspect of the story and are perhaps a little dry and dated.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the fanciful, colorful art! It's not absolutely clear whether the leaf has powers or not, but the story has magic enough.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story for children, about a downtrodden husband who gets an unexpected reprieve.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Kay's big brothers and sisters were playing in the autumn leaves Kay catches a bright yellow, shiny leaf. It is a magic golden leaf that grants Kay's every wish. The leaf turns Kay's sand castles and pies into yummy, real food. It grants her wish for a big flower of her own by making a huge rose that she can walk around in. Kay wishes for bubbles with pictures, the raiment of a queen, and a magic band. Each time Kay tries to tell her family about the magic leaf and the granted wishes they put her off by saying, "Yes, dear. Run away and play and don't bother us now. We're busy." Kay finally runs to tell her grandmother who knows all about magic leaves. She had caught one a young girl. Everyone had been too busy to listen to her, too.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kay finds a magical golden leaf while playing outside and it does wondrous things. She wants to share this with someone, but everyone is too busy to even listen to her. Kay's grandmother understands and explains she had once found a magical golden leaf herself.

Got this for Christmas today from my boyfriend. He knows that I am a big fan of Diana Wynne Jones. While it is not as amazing as her other books, it is very cute and I definitely think it'll be a book children, and fans of Jones, will love.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated picture book with plenty of detail to fascinate the younger child while you read the text. [return][return]Kay has caught an autumn leaf and is having a marvellous, magical time as the golden leaf grants her wishes but everyone is too busy to listen to her - everyone except one.[return][return]http://www.leemac.freeserve.co.uk/kid...

[Angela Randall · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book for kids with older siblings - It's all about living in a world where everyone is busy with other things and no-one wants to listen to you.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked it better if I hadn't just gotten the entire plot from the paragraph description above. Still, it is a kids' book.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read it just because it's DWJ. Very cute.

[Rebecca]

Beautiful illustrations