This is a perfect book for a mid-winter blues afternoon snuggle read.
Charles wants to go in search of the wish tree in the forest. His brother and sister tell him it doesn’t exist but his trust sidekick, a toboggan named Boggan, has faith. The duo enter the forest with the whole day ahead of them but keep getting sidetracked when they meet forest animals that need help.
Before long, Charles and Boggan have moved hazelnuts and birch logs and winter berries and haven’t found the wish tree yet.
Charles grows tired and falls asleep as the forest animals pull Boggan to where the wish tree sits. When he wakes up, he ties his wish to the tree and then has the most lovely, whimsical dinner party I have ever seen. I would also like some birch tea and hazelnut soufflé with a beaver and a fox.
What did we learn?
Paying it forward. When you are kind to others, kindness will be returned. And that it’s the road to your adventure that is so important – not necessarily the end point.
Why I like it:
I absolutely love Turnham’s illustrations – especially the dinner party scene. He captures how a winter night feels exactly on the last page of the story. I also think the message is sweet without being overpowering and sickly.
Another wonderfully illustrated book that is perfect with a cup of hot chocolate.
Miki is a little polar bear who isn’t ready to dive into the cold ocean with his mama so he waits on the ice while she goes fishing. Through the snow, he spots a tiny red dot and gets closer to investigate.
The little dot raises it’s paw and waves (she’s a little girl in a red parka) and Miki wonders if it will play. She sure does and the two spend the afternoon making snow angels/bears, snowballs and taking sliding trips down the hill. Miki realizes she has lost the thing on her paw (her mitten) and it has fallen in the ocean. He dives into the cold water, deep deep deep, and gets it for her.
The two must eventually say goodbye with a nose kiss. Miki will miss her but he misses his mama more and races back to find her.
What did we learn?
Friendship comes in the most unlikely places. And you can overcome your fear to help a friend.
Why I like it:
It’s just so wonderfully illustrated and the story of a little girl and a polar bear playing in the arctic snow is adorable. Plus I get to nose kiss my little ones when I read this to them.
A little boy and his mom bundle up (he gets to wear a coat over his PJ’s) and go for an evening walk to look for the moon.
They are clearly walking around Brooklyn (one of my most favourite places of all time) and trying to find the elusive moon who is hiding behind buildings and clouds. When they finally see it, full and round, they stop in wonder. The little boy wonders why everyone else is also not stopping to look. His mom explains that people are busy.
They eventually go home and the little boy falls asleep watching the moon from his bed.
What did we learn?
I learned that once in a while, I should stop being so busy and take my child out to look at the moon. George LOVES the moon.
Why I like it
It’s a nice reminder to me as a parent to slow down and really take time to show my children the simple wonders (although the moon isn’t simple. It’s wondrous.) And it makes me miss my time in Brooklyn which is a fun place to search for the moon.
Hope you enjoy these picks! And as always,
Happy Reading,
Curious in Wonderland
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