Wish: Wishing Traditions Around the World (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This visually captivating book highlights wishing customs in countries around the world. Each double-page spread includes a bordered box carrying a rhymed couplet and a paragraph of text on practices such as wishing while throwing flowers and combs into the sea on New Year’s Day in Brazil or, in Ireland, wishing while blowing all the seeds off a dandelion puff in one breath. Additional facts about each tradition, as well as tiny lucky symbols hidden in the pictures, appear on the closing spread. Often infused with a sense of community and celebration, the colorful double-page illustrations are brimming with life and movement, while offering many intriguing details for children to absorb. The multimedia artwork includes drawn and painted elements as well as shapes cut from patterned papers and woven materials. The world maps painted on the endpapers feature tiny pictures representing a wishing custom in each country marked. An original presentation. Grades K-3. --Carolyn Phelan

Product Description

This lively compilation of wishing traditions from around the world is sure to educate and inspire young readers—and makes a perfect gift! Each charming custom provides insight into the cultures of lands far and near while reminding us of the similarities we all share. Includes Japan China Thailand Russia Iran Israel India Australia South Africa Italy Ireland Brazil Guatemala Mexico and the United States.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811857166
• ISBN-13: 978-0811857161
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,886 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This beautiful and interesting book will let you wish around the world!, October 18, 2009

By	D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

All around the world little children traditionally have different ways of wishing for things. Also, different cultures have "lucky symbols" such as a dolphin, a key, a rabbit, a ladybug and many more. In this book you can search through the pictures to see if you can find the hidden symbols. We go on a long journey through many countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Guatemala, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, and, of course, the United States!


"We tie our wishes to bamboo

the seventh of July

as children look for starts that tell

a story in the sky."


This is a unique and very interesting book. The artwork is very colorful, busy and a young child can tell you the story by looking at and pointing out what is going on in the lovely artwork. Can you guess which nation ties their wishes to bamboo?

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful multicultural exploration and book, January 6, 2009

By	Lilah R. "book and card enthusiast" (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews

This book contains a wonderful exploration of wishing traditions and is a super addition to my classroom library. As a teacher, I am thrilled to have a book showing multicultural traditions for my students. Thank you, Elisa Kleven for your incredible artwork. A 'must' for school and community libraries.
S.R. (classroom teacher), Santa Cruz

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Exploration, November 30, 2008

By	Sui Ling Wong (Albany, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A beautifully illustrated and culturally sensitive tour of our most basic impulses to wish and hope for a better world. My children and I loved looking at all of the fascinating details and learning about the various ways we all wish. This will be our favorite Holiday gift to give!