Wish

Thong, Roseanne. 2008. Wish: Wishing Traditions Around The World.

Fifteen countries/cultures are explored in this colorful picture book that focuses on wishing traditions and celebrations: Australia, Brazil, China, Guatemala, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States. Each two-page spread focuses on a country/culture. Through a quick four-line rhyme and an explanatory paragraph, readers are presented with interesting facts about the world.

For example, Italy reads something like this:

We toss our coins and make a wish whenever we're in Rome. Three for marriage, two for love, and one to come back home! In Italy, people toss coins into Rome's famous Trevi Fountain and make wishes. An old legend says that if you throw three coins over your left shoulder, you'll get married. If you throw two coins, you'll fall in love, and if you throw one, you'll return to Rome.

The illustrations are bright and colorful. The art is by Elisa Kleven.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers