Reviews for The wishing tree
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Theo’s wish for a more-joyful Christmas is fulfilled in unexpected ways. With Christmas only three days away, the street outside Theo’s window is quiet and dark. Theo decides that instead of asking Santa for toys, he has just one wish for Christmas. Crumpling up his original list, he writes a new letter, and while he sleeps, the wind pulls his letter out the window and through the air all the way to the North Pole. The next day, Theo is out playing in the snow when he finds a huge pine tree with the words Property of the North Pole carved into its trunk. From the tree falls a letter: “Bring joy.” Later that day, Theo decides to decorate the town. The next day, another message from the tree says, “Find harmony.” That night, he decides to go caroling and is joined by neighbor after neighbor. On Christmas, his parents have to work, and Theo is sad. His grandma decides that maybe the neighbors will want to brighten his Christmas as he brightened theirs. They do, and by night’s end, Theo introduces them all to the wishing tree. Theo, who, like his whole family, presents Black, is a sweet, sympathetic protagonist readers will feel for as he seeks to make Christmas special. The example of individual joy being tied to community joy is timely and heartfelt. The blue-and-gold–themed illustrations bring the season to life. A dozen punch-out cards are included for the book’s purchasers to make their own wishing trees. (This book was reviewed digitally.) This magic feels true. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Publishers Weekly
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After realizing his town is devoid of Christmas spirit three days before the holiday, Theo, a Black child with dark curls, writes down “just one wish” to Santa. As he sleeps, the letter journeys “across frozen seas/ and stormy deserts” before reaching the North Pole. The next morning, a mysterious great pine labeled “Property of the North Pole” drops a response letter into Theo’s hands saying “bring joy,” setting off a chain of cheer-bringing events with Theo at the center as he partakes in traditional Christmas activities, such as hanging string lights and caroling with his neighbors. Yan’s sweeping digital brushstrokes, depicting a township of varying ages, abilities, body types, and skin tones, add an animation-like layer of depth and texture to Hashimoto’s lightly magical, community-centered tale. Back matter punch-out cards encourage readers to write their own wishes. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)
