Red is a majestic, old oak tree - 216 rings to be exact. And in all those years he’s seen many things, both good and bad. Red has always been able to take it all in stride. Ever the optimist, he has the uncanny ability to view the good in whatever happens. He watches over the neighborhood and is home to many critter families. Red is also a wishtree, people come from all over to tie their “wishes” on his branches. Red is happy and content with life, talking with his animal friends, and promoting harmony among all using his unique humor:
“But I’ve made it clear that eating your neighbors will not be allowed while I’m in charge.”
While Red is the “wishtree”, he’s careful around people. There’s a strict rule that trees and animals do not talk to people. Red has always followed the rules. Now Red has a difficult choice to make, but he knows what to do, even if it means going against what he always thought was right.
This is a story of the power of hope, wishes, and friendship. Wishtree has the reader feeling a full range of emotions: scared, afraid to turn the page, then laughing out loud. Fearing the worst and then hoping for the best. The characters capture your heart and don’t let go. It’s a story I’ll read again and again just to visit with Red and the animals. Red’s wisdom has important messages for all:
“I wanted to tell them that friendship doesn’t have to be hard. That sometimes we let the world make it hard.”
