“The night wished it was quieter.” A series of arresting poetic “wish” statements together with the illustrations each is paired with create a powerful, poignant story following the journey of a refugee family. A clock wished it ticked slower as goodbyes are said; a bag wished it was deeper and a boat wished it was bigger: neither can hold enough. As the family, which includes two small children, continues its journey in rough seas and under a hot sun, these things, too, wish: to be calmer, cooler. The spare, lyrical text and expansive illustrations in mostly sober hues create a heart-wrenching, ultimately hopeful story as the agency shifts from inanimate objects to the humans at its heart as they arrive in a new place on a new day. This story inspired by the refugee journey of the Vietnamese American author’s family when she was a child is resonant and relevant to the journeys so many children and families are making today. There is ample imaginative space between words and images for young readers and listeners to reflect and discuss what is happening and the feelings surrounding it—the characters’ and their own. In notes, the author shares more about her family’s journey and invites readers to join in her wish for a “safer, kinder, fairer, and more beautiful world”; the illustrator, originally from Hong Kong, shares thoughts on his approach to illustrating a narrative that “speaks to the universality of wishing for hope in a sea of helplessness.” (Ages 5-9)

An arresting, poetic journey and a moving reflection on immigration, family, and home, from an acclaimed creative team.

Wishes tells the powerful, honest story about one Vietnamese family's search for a new home on the other side of the world, and the long-lasting and powerful impact that makes on one of the youngest members of the family. Inspired by actual events in the author's life, this is a narrative that is both timely and timeless. Told through the eyes of a young girl, the story chronicles a family's difficult and powerful journey to pack up what they can carry and to leave their world behind, traveling to a new and unknown place in a crowded boat. With sparse, poetic, and lyrical text from acclaimed author Muon Thi Van, thoughtful back matter about the author's connection to the story, and luminous, stunning illustrations from Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Victo Ngai, Wishes tells a powerful and timely story in a gentle and approachable way for young children and their families.

Wishes is a must-have book for every child's bookshelf.