Wished
What’s inside...
Ed and his sister Roo are faced with the most boring half-term holiday in history, spending five days with their elderly neighbor, Miss Filey, and her ancient, smelly cat. However, their world changes completely when they discover a box of birthday candles in Miss Filey's house, which are no ordinary candles as each comes with a wish. The only problem is that some wishes belong to someone else. 'Wished' is a hilarious misadventure by the bestselling author of 'Wed Wabbit', illustrating how the biggest wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways.
Age
8-10
Length
272 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Ed
Minnie
Miss Filey
Discussion points
What would you wish for if you had one magical wish, and why?
How do you think the main character felt when their wish was granted?
Can you think of a time when something didn't go as expected, just like in the book?
Why is it important to think carefully before making big decisions, like wishing for something big?
How would you help a friend who made a wish that they later regretted?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their personal experiences to the story. Ask them to share a similar situation where they had to make an important choice.
Discuss the consequences of the character’s actions in the story to teach lessons about foresight and responsibility.
Use the wishes made in the book as a springboard to talk about values and priorities. What do they find most important and why?
Promote empathy by asking how they would feel in the main character’s position and how they would handle the resolution of the story.
After reading, encourage your child to draw or write about their own magical wish and what they believe the outcome would be.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: The protagonist of the story goes out of their way to help friends and strangers alike, demonstrating the impact of kind actions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by sharing toys with peers or helping family members with chores, fostering a caring environment.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, the main character faces various challenges but continues to try until they succeed, showcasing the power of persistence.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to not give up easily in tasks such as learning a new skill or solving a puzzle, enhancing their problem-solving abilities.
Example Lesson: The significance of honesty
Explanation: Characters in the story face consequences for being dishonest and learn the benefits of being truthful.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to be honest in their day-to-day interactions which builds trust with others and develops their character.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: The book includes a variety of characters from different backgrounds, emphasizing respect and acceptance.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace diversity among classmates and community members, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights characters working together to solve a problem, underlining the importance of collaborative efforts.
Real-World Application: Children can mirror this behavior during group activities in school or play, learning to value each member's contribution.