Charles wants to find a
wish tree. His brother and sister don't believe there is such a thing,
but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to
find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in
the most unexpected ways.(goodreads summary)
Little Charles is hoping to find a wish tree. His siblings tell him there is no such thing but that does not stop him. Charles and his toboggan "Boggan" decide to set out the next day looking for one because he believes it just may be out there. While on his search, he encounters a few forest animals in need of some help. With the assistance of his trusty friend Boggan, Charles is willing to help each one along his journey to find that special wish tree.
This sweet picture book is perfect for the cold winter days still to come. The gentle and kind nature of Charles' character, along with the charming warm illustrations, gives this story a calm and serene feel during reading. Children may visualize being out in the quiet of the forest as Charles and Boggan Whishhhh along the soft white snow. It does make for a good read-aloud as well but the ending did leave me with a bit of question mark. But afterwards, I thought it just may offer an opportunity for imagination with discussion. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.
Title: The Wish Tree
Author: Kyo Maclear, illustrations by Chris Turnham
Pub. date: September 2016
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Hardcover, 40 pgs
Already it is the end of January! The new year is the perfect time to reflect, re-evaluate, refresh, and restart. Every year that "To Do" list gets longer and longer. It always says the same things: eat healthier, exercise, loose weight, purge my house and the list goes on. I'm sure this is the same for many people but I know when I don't accomplish any goals on my list, I feel like I failed myself and my family. But for 2017, I decided to try harder and will do better. After letting January settle in, I have found a new perspective and attitude this year to make some different and more achievable goals. One goal at the top of my list is to read more and get back to blogging. So I ventured to my local library this past week and found several books I'm looking forward to reading and sharing soon. They also had copies of a reading challenge to take along and I selected a few ideas to share for a new year of wonderful reading~
Diverse Reading Challenge
* A book by an author you wouldn't normally read.
* A book written by someone under 30.
* A book over 500 pages.
* A book set somewhere you have never been.
* A book your mom loved.
* A book based totally on the cover.
* A book of short stories.
* A book that came out the year you were born.
* A book of poems.
* A book based on a true story.
* A book you were suppose to read in school but didn't.
* A historical nonfiction book.
* A nonfiction book.
* A book written over 100 years ago.
* A book in a genre you've never read.
* A play.
* A graphic novel.
* A book you can finish in a day.
Some are easy and others could be a bit of a challenge but that is the purpose. Either way they are some fun and inspirational ideas to kick off a great year of reading. I'm positive there are many "just right books" out there waiting to find.~
