Make a Wish, Henry Bear by Liam Francis Walsh
Published by Roaring Brook Press on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 162672332X
Pages: 40
Goodreads

Make a Wish, Henry Bear, is written and illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist Liam Francis Walsh. The story is a hilarious spin on the classic, “be careful what you wish for” tale. The story opens with Henry Bear trying to go to bed, but his parents urge him to stay up just ten more minutes! The parents insist on cake for dinner, TV all day, and drawing on the walls. Children will enjoy this story of role reversal, but may need a little help figuring out that the reason Henry Bear’s parents are behaving as they are is because of his birthday wish: that detail is not revealed until halfway through the book. But, when Henry Bear meets a new classmate, Marjani, on his birthday, he finds a way to return to his life before the last wish. Marjani wears a hijab, and I appreciate how seamlessly Walsh incorporates this piece of diversity into his story. 

The illustrations complement and extend the text. The color pallette is simple, which makes the details of the teacher’s desk, for example, stand out even more. I discovered fun, new details every time I read the book. Recommended ages 4-8

Reviewed by Amy Roberson, Yarmouth High School, Yarmouth