The Wish is the tale of a young child's grief over the death of her pet corella. As part of the grief process the child contemplates the concept of being caged. Night brings a world of dreams, in which the child's insight into the suffering of captive animals has a magical twist. The story finishes with a celebration of freedom.
The Wish is a picture book for readers aged four to eight, with a storyline that taps into a child's natural curiosity and love of animals. Like the timeless children's book The Lorax, by Dr Suess, The Wish uses a child's world of fantasy to raise awareness of an ethical issue. Through flights of imagination The Wish helps readers connect to the plight of animals in zoos, circuses, factory farms and laboratories and ultimately to the understanding that respect for animals empowers respect for themselves. At the conclusion of the story readers are left with the sense that individuals can take action and make a difference.
The Wish is non-gender specific. The multiple layers of understanding extend The Wish's interest as a story for all ages, including the adults who will purchase and share this book with children.