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The Perfectly Perfect Wish

by Lisa Mantchev

Subject
Social Themes - Values & Virtues
Age
3-5 years
Format
Hardcover
Pages
32
Publisher
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Size
24.9 cm × 28.4 cm
ISBN
9781534406193


From the author of Strictly No Elephants comes a sweet picture book that explores themes of selflessness and empathy when a girl has the chance to make just one wish.

In the grass, a girl finds an extraordinary thing that gives her…just…one…wish.

She asks her those around her what they would wish for in her shoes, but nothing seems quite right. What will her perfect wish be?

In this pitch-perfect picture book, Lisa Mantchev takes the concept of a magic wish and uses it to explore real world empathy, kindness, and good will.

About the creators

Lisa MantchevAuthor

Lisa Mantchev is the author of many picture books, including the internationally acclaimed Strictly No Elephants and The Trouble with Giraffes, both illustrated by Taeeun Yoo; Remarkables, illustrated by David Litchfield; and Someday, Narwhal, illustrated by Hyewon Yum. Lisa lives on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. Learn more at LisaMantchev.com.

Jessica Courtney-TickleIllustrator

Jessica Courtney-Tickle is the author and illustrator of Little Christmas Tree. Publishers Weekly praised, “Courtney-Tickle’s friendly digital illustrations teem with life” in a starred review. Jessica also illustrated The Story Orchestra Books by Katy Flint. She lives in London. Learn more at JessicaTickle.co.uk.

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What reviewers said

MANTCHEV, Lisa. The Perfectly Perfect Wish. illus. by Jessica Courtney-Tickle. 32p. S. & S./Paula Wiseman Bks. Feb. 2020. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781534406193.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2–A young girl finds an extraordinary gold coin in the grass with the words, “NO WISHING FOR MORE WISHES” on it. She realizes instantly that this means one wish is permitted; no more, no less. Her “perfectly perfect wish,” therefore, must be extra special. The choices are many when she considers the things she personally craves, like a blue ribbon at the horse show, a trip to Japan, or real ballerina pointe shoes. She realizes that these things seem trivial compared to the wishes her good friends truly need: a home of their own, a father back from war, and even a puppy. When she…
School Library Journal
A girl finds a token, engraved with “no wishing for more wishes,” as she waits for the bus, and jumps to a solid conclusion: “This is exactly one wish. No more, no less.” As she considers what to spend it on, she inquires her peers and teachers as to what they would wish for: her friend Eliza wishes for a puppy; her teacher wishes for a “little house for me and my family”; and her classmate Mark wishes for his father to come home safe from his deployment. The girl feels silly about her low-stakes wishes for ballet shoes and visiting Japan, since these are things that can happen with time and…
BCCB
One morning a girl finds a wish. The only rule is “No wishing for more wishes,” so she must choose carefully. She contemplates her personal dreams: a blue ribbon at a horse show, a trip to Japan, real ballerina pointe shoes. She asks her friends and teacher for advice. After much thought she realizes she does not need the wish to fulfill her own dreams. Instead, she wishes for everyone’s wish to come true. The final pages are full-color, double-page spreads that show her friend who uses a wheelchair playing with a new puppy, her teacher moving into a house, and her friend with a military…
Booklist
“Directly personal and visually dramatic.”— Booklist “Carries a deeper and more important message about considering others’ circumstances in light of one’s own privileges that many kids may benefit from hearing.” — BCCB “A satisfying storytime read-aloud about the gift of giving and sharing.”
School Library Journal
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© 2026 Peekabooks Inc. All Rights Reserved.