For kids, wishes hold power. So much of life seems beyond their control: where they live, what they wear, who they meet. Among so much uncertainty, it’s a comforting hope to hold tight to a wish.
In Matt de la Peña & Christian Robinson’s latest picture book, “Carmela Full of Wishes,” Carmela doesn’t realize just how many important wishes she holds in her heart until she finds a dandelion.
There are so many elements in this read that I found lovely. The details of Carmela’s neighborhood. The papel picado, Mexican folk art, that beautifully illustrates her wishes. The jingling bracelets that capture the essence of childhood joy (that can’t be diminished even by an irritable — and likely care-worn — brother). The way that it keeps readers wondering about Carmela’s wish and her life.
Also, I just have to share this gorgeous case design beneath the dust jacket!
For your readers that are full of wishes, here are 9 other books of wishes I’d recommend!
#2: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
#3: When’s My Birthday by Julie Fogliano & Christian Robinson
#4: I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld
#5: We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen (I’m starting to wonder how this book somehow manages to get on just about every one of my lists…I regret nothing.)
#6: The Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller & Frank Morrison
#7: It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton
#8: Mr. Rabbit & the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow & Maruice Sendak
#9: Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie & Yuyi Morales
#10: Pigeon Books by Mo Willems
featured image: DeathToTheStockPhoto
What a great collection of books. I know of some of them, but now there are others for me to check out.
Thank you.