The Wish Tree

Turnham’s digital illustrations are well-composed, and Charles and Boggan are an appealing if unlikely pair. Sweet in mood but incomplete in logic.

A boy named Charles traverses the winter woods in search of a "wish tree," accompanied by Boggan, his red toboggan. Along the way, they assist friendly animals in need: Charles uses Boggan to transport hazelnuts to Squirrel's tree, birch logs to Beaver's lodge, and berries to Fox's burrow, among other mini-missions. These generous expenditures of time cut into Charles's efforts to find the wish tree; as evening approaches, the animals repay his kindness by bringing him to a snow-covered pine tree in the woods. There, Charles hangs a wish on a branch, and the animals celebrate with an outdoor feast, complete with a hazelnut souffle and birch tea. Newcomer Turnham brings a soft retro-meets-modern aesthetic to the pages in digital drawings that feature creamy snowdrifts accented by sunset shades of pale peach, pink, and violet. Along with Maclear's (The Good Little Book) gently repeating language and subtle anthropomorphism (" 'La-di-da-di-da-di-daaaa, ' sang Charles. 'Whishhhhh, ' sang Boggan"), the result is a story that hums with understated everyday magic. Ages 2-4. Author's agent: Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. Illustrator's agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 2--Charles's brother and sister tell him there is no such thing as a wish tree, but that doesn't stop him from taking his trusty sled Boggan on a quest to find one. Singing some notes of an unnamed song ("la-di-das" that can be applied to any tune, finished with Boggan's soothing "whishhhhh"), Charles optimistically sets off across a wintry landscape colored with pleasing, muted shades of blue-gray paths through the snow and tree branches of dusty rose. With the whole day ahead of them, the boy and his sled make frequent stops to help animals get food and supplies to their homes--wood to Beaver's lodge, berries to Fox's burrow, and so on. When Charles becomes weary and falls asleep on Boggan, the animals return the kindness by not only taking him to the wish tree--an unadorned white pine that exudes quiet magic and wonder--but also preparing a delicious night feast for all to share. VERDICT Not an overtly holiday story, but one that's full of warmth and cheer that only the best of friends and the spirit of giving can provide.--Joanna Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library