Customer Reviews

Annika's Secret Wish

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even if the story were not so poignant a study in the selflessness of a young girl with her own special wish, the illustrations, worthy of consideration for the Caldecott Medal, would be reason enough to purchase this beautifully done book.

Every child has their own secret wish and Annika's is to have a beautiful black pony. According to Swedish tradition, the person who gets the almond in their Christmas pudding has a better chance of getting their wish. At ten years old, Annika has yet to find that almond. But even when she does find it, the spirit of Christmas supercedes her own desires.

The story is a lovely testimony to the greater joy found when practicing the principle "it's better to give than to receive."

This book will definitely be a lovely gift to give and receive!

From the moment we meet Annika, she's daydreaming of finding the almond in the Christmas pudding. For ten years she's wished for it, and this Christmas is her last chance. (Author Lewis doesn't explain why, but presumably because she'll be considered too old for the tradition the following year.) But her brothers - including the youngest, Davy, who can walk only with a crutch - also pine for the Christmas almond, for tradition has it that whichever child finds it in their pudding will be granted one wish. Annika hopes for a beautiful black horse to call her own.

When Christmas arrives and the children are served rice pudding, Annika can hardly hold back her excitement...when lo! She feels a hard, almond shape in her pudding. Yet just as she's about to announce her good fortune, her father carries young Davey to the table. "What would make Davey most happy this Christmas?" Annika wonders. "Dear little brother. How he longed to run and play. To walk without a crutch. And finding the almond would surely make his heart glad...What would Jesus want me to do?" Annika thinks.

Secretly, she switches plates with Davey, and as her little brother whispers his wish, Annika is the only one who hears what he longs for. Tears come to her eyes because "she knew the almond could bring smiles and laughter, but only God could make a miracle."

What I Like: The basic idea for this story is sweet, and as parents we can always use books portraying unselfishness in a positive light. Also, the illustrations by Pamela Querin are gorgeous: realistic and detailed and full of light.

What I Dislike: There's a lot of description and not much action in the first 14 pages or so of this book...much more than is typically seen in picture books. All of this could have been condensed to make much stronger picture book writing. Too, younger readers may not catch what Davey's wish is. It's never spelled out plainly, and many will find it too subtle to catch upon a first reading.

Overall Rating: Good.

Kristina Seleshanko
Managing Editor, Christian Children's Book Review

As a book loving family, we have many books, but few capture the warmth & beauty in the illustrations as here! Each page brings bright sunrays and . . . just BEAUTY!

My husband is Scandenavian, and we enjoy the rice pudding each year, complete with the almond hunt. What a delightful way for my girls to look forward to this tradition!

The moral of the story is so pure and honest, as Annika struggles with her own desire to do right and yet to please herself. A virtue seldom seen in our time! (Sad but true!)

An incredible book!

Our daughter, Annika, was thrilled to find this book under the tree last year. The story is light, and a bit sentimental, but well told, and the illustrations are so very Swedish...this is a fine tale of giving for Christmas. Of course, now Annika suggests we need to have a traditional Swedish Christmas pudding, with almond, and a wish for a pony...

This is a beautiful story with a good moral. The illustrations are captivating. The are reminiscent of those of Jan Brett. This is a heart-warming tale of choosing between pleasing yourself or bringing happiness to someone else.

I bought this book because of the Nordic connection. I bought it without viewing the inside. If I had seen it beforehand, I probably would not have bought it. The story (text) is too long for a primary age child. The book has a religious undertone to it, which was not noted in the Amazon description. I don't think my daughter has ever finished the book because it is too long for her (5-year-old). The illustratioins are pretty. It was probably fun to make, but as a reader of lots of children's literature, not one of my favorites.

This is the first time I've ever ordered a used book from Amazon.com. I must say I was surprised at the quality of the book. I will certainly order this way again in the future. I love the story as well.

Lauren

Annika's Secret Wish is a marvelous book of masterful prose and imagery by Beverly Lewis and nostalgic, colorful, illustrations by Pamela Querin. It is indeed a most refreshing addition to the myriad archives of children's literature. The audio CD version of this timeless Scandinavian Christmas tale brings the book to life with the sweet spirit Evie Tornquist Karlsson breathes into it with her sensitive, soul touching, and moving narration. Evie also shares some of her personal Scandinavian experiences and insights as well as sings two Christmas carols 1. "Away In A Manager" (a BEAUTIFUL previous recording by Evie) and 2. "One Winter's Night" ( A WONDERFUL new recording by Evie). Although the book's prose and illustrations are superlative, Evie's narration along with her two splendid musical vocal tracks shall assuredly bring a special blessing to the hearts and souls of all who experience them regardless of gender or age . . . I highly recommend Evie's Christmas album recordings . . . Come On, Ring Those Bells Christmas, a Happy Time Christmas Memories

Michael C. Turner