Snowshoe the Hare Book

Stephane S. Tolan Wishworks, Inc. illus. Amy June Bates 146 pp. $15.99 Arthur A. Levine Books 06/09 ISBN 978-0-545-03154-7

With an intriguing title like Wishworks, Inc. and a front cover showing an excited boy and his dog peering expectantly into a shop window, this slim volume almost jumped right into my hands! My first thought was: "What is he going to wish for?" followed quickly by, "What would I wish for?"

Third grader Max's parents have recently divorced and he is the new boy at school. Max frequently uses his imagination to escape to "Adventure Time," his favorite pastime. Most of his fantasies involve King, a courageous and reliable dog who accompanies him on one quest after another to thwart school bullies and other unsavory characters. On one particular trip to Adventure Time, Max discovers a mysterious shop called Wishworks Inc. Inside, he learns that he can purchase whatever wish he desires. The kindly shopkeeper warns him to "think very carefully", but Max immediately wishes for a dog. While his wish does come true (it IS guaranteed after all), Max learns the hard way that wishing is serious business and sometimes we get just what we need although we may not recognize it right away.

Tolan writes at a 4.3 grade level, which matches the interest level for upper elementary and early middle school. She does an especially nice job at addressing the problems her readers may encounter and attacking them in a positive manner. How Max resolves his bully situation will empower anyone who has ever encountered a similar problem. Bates' enthusastic artwork adds to the narrative by giving whimsical expressions to the characters and the dogs. This slim volume will appeal to male and female elementary students alike, and will surely invite them to explore the inner reaches of their own imaginations. As for me, I'm still "thinking very carefully!"