The Wish Tree Read online

  For Jackie Kaiser (with a very special thank you to Chris, Victoria, and Sara) —K. M.

  For Mom & Pop —C. T.

  Text copyright © 2016 by Kyo Maclear.

  Illustrations copyright © 2016 by Chris Turnham.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available.

  ISBN 978-1-4521-5065-9 (hc)

  ISBN 978-1-4521-5686-6 (epub2)

  ISBN 978-1-4521-5688-0 (epub3)

  ISBN 978-1-4521-5687-3 (kindle)

  ISBN 978-1-4521-5689-7 (epib)

  Design by Sara Gillingham Studio.

  Typeset in Kowalski Pro. Title type handlettered by Chris Turnham.

  The illustrations in this book were rendered digitally.

  Chronicle Books LLC

  680 Second Street

  San Francisco, California 94107

  Chronicle Books—we see things differently.

  Become part of our community at www.chroniclekids.com.

  Charles wanted to find a wish tree.

  His brother said, “There is no such thing.”

  His sister said, “There is no such thing.”

  But Charles said, “What do you think, Boggan?”

  And Boggan thought, surely, there was such a thing.

  So the next morning Charles and Boggan set forth.

  His brother said, “Bring a map.”

  His sister said, “Don’t forget a compass.”

  But Charles and Boggan were already well on their way into the woods.

  “La-di-da-di-da-di-daaaa,” sang Charles.

  “Whishhhhh,” sang Boggan.

  They had the whole day ahead of them.

  The whole day to find a wish tree.

  Up, up to the top of a hill they climbed.

  And down, down to a frosty meadow they slid.

  Where Charles went Boggan followed.

  Where Boggan went Charles followed.

  Charles and Boggan did not see the wish tree.

  But they did see . . .

  Squirrel, who was puzzling over how to get some hazelnuts to his home.

  “La-di-da-di-da-di-daaaa,” sang Charles.

  “Whishhhhh,” sang Boggan.

  Slow, slow through the snow they went.

  And hush, hush, past Bear’s den they crept.

  Where Charles went Boggan followed.

  Where Boggan went Charles followed.

  They did not see a wish tree anywhere.

  But they did see . . .

  Beaver, who was busy gathering birch wood to bring to his lodge.

  “La-di-da-di-da-di-daaaa,” sang Charles.

  “Whishhhhh,” sang Boggan.

  Slide, glide, across the ice they slipped, past a few logs and around a bend.

  Where Charles went Boggan followed.

  Where Boggan went Charles followed.

  The wish tree was nowhere to be found.

  But they did find . . .

  Fox, who was late getting berries to her burrow.

  “La-di-da-di-da-di-daaaa,” sang Charles.

  “Whishhhhh,” sang Boggan.

  Now they had less than half the day ahead of them.

  Less than half the day to find a wish tree.

  “We may need to move a little faster, Boggan,” said Charles.

  Charles and Boggan were moving very slowly now. Their shadows were growing longer. The whole day was almost behind them.

  “Boggan,” Charles said, “I am tired. I cannot. Search. Any. Longer.”

  “Shhhhh,” whispered Boggan.

  When Charles awoke it was snowing.

  It was snowing on Squirrel and it was snowing on Beaver and it was snowing on Fox and it was snowing on everyone.

  For a moment Charles could not see through the falling snow. But then he said, “Oh, look.”

  “See, Boggan?” said Charles. “Just as we thought.”

  And Boggan said, “Wishhhh.”

  Charles wrote his wish on a piece of paper and tied it around a branch of the wish tree.

  The snow was falling more gently now. The animals had prepared a night feast. With hazelnut soufflé, a pot of birch tea, and biscuits made of berries.

  Charles and Boggan celebrated with their friends until it was time to be on their way.

  The moon was glowing brightly.

  “La-di-da-di-da-di-daaaa,” sang Charles.

  “Whishhhhh,” sang Boggan.

  All the way home.

  KYO MACLEAR is a critically acclaimed novelist, essayist, and children’s book author. Her books have received starred reviews, appeared on numerous “Best of” lists, and been published in multiple languages around the world. Her recent picture book Virginia Wolf has been adapted for stage, and her picture book Julia, Child is currently being adapted into an animated television series. Kyo lives in Toronto.

  CHRIS TURNHAM has had a long production art career working as a visual development artist in the animation industry for clients including Sony Pictures Animation, LAIKA, and DreamWorks Animation. In addition to illustrating children’s books, he spends much of his time in the studio pursuing his passion for printmaking. Chris is based in Los Angeles. To see more of his work visit www.christurnham.com.

 

 

  Kyo Maclear, The Wish Tree

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