#512 of 1001 · December 25, 2021

Christmas Day is here. Allow me to add a little bit of warmth and cheer to your celebration with The Wish Tree by @kyomaclear and @turnhamator. One bright, clear day in winter, Charles decides to go out in search of something he calls a “wish tree”. Heedless of his older brother and sister’s skepticism, he treks into the snowy woods with Boggan, his faithful and supportive (if a bit taciturn) toboggan companion along for company. Though at first they find no wish tree, they stop now and then to help the woodland creatures with their tasks: squirrel is collecting hazelnuts, beaver is gathering birch branches, fox is stockpiling berries. As the hour grows late, Charles begins losing his strength. Finally, he falls asleep and the forest animals come to his aid, pulling him along on Boggan. When he awakens, there is the wish tree, standing silent and white in a twilit glade. After writing his wish on a slip of paper and tying it to one of the tree’s branches, he sits down to a night feast at a table laid by the kindly animals, replete with hazelnut soufflé, birch tea, and berry biscuits. Ultimately, Maclear keeps Charles’s wish a secret from the reader, shifting focus from the specifics of the plot to the soothingly contemplative atmosphere and a beautiful economy of language. With glowing digital illustrations, Turnham renders the narrative in a soft, attractive palette of pink and purple, blue and brown. The author and artist achieve an unexpected air of magic realism, particularly in their inspired quasi-animate portrayal of Boggan. Maclear accords the toy subtle snippets of whispered dialogue, while Turnham depicts its dangling rope handle as a perennial smile. My wish for you today is happiness, light, and the love of family and friends. Merry Christmas. #wish #tree #snow #forest #woods #animals #book #books #childrensbooks #beautifulbook #beautifulbooks #beautifulbookcovers #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #picturebookart #childrensbookillustration #childrensliterature #illustration #kidlit #kidsbooks #bookworm #booklover #booklovers #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #instabook #instabooks