"Although the simple, moving story is an excellent choice for Lunar New Year read-alouds and will work well to open class discussions about cultural traditions, it will also appeal throughout the year. Sentimental without being saccharine, it illustrates how traditions can help us voice our deepest wishes and emotions, and its vibrant acrylic paintings of the glorious tree abloom with wishes and fruit, which will show well to a crowd of young listeners, extend the tale's reassuring sense of hope. An author's note describes the true events that inspired the story. "
Reviews: August 2008 Archives
"Although the simple, moving story is an excellent choice for Lunar New Year read-alouds and will work well to open class discussions about cultural traditions, it will also appeal throughout the year. Sentimental without being saccharine, it illustrates how traditions can help us voice our deepest wishes and emotions, and its vibrant acrylic paintings of the glorious tree abloom with wishes and fruit, which will show well to a crowd of young listeners, extend the tale's reassuring sense of hope. An author's note describes the true events that inspired the story. "
"Thong's narrative voice has a gentle and musical quality that will lure readers into the book's pages, as well as into the landscape of this lovely little corner of China. Children will see in fastidious detail the beautiful wishing paper with its Chinese symbols and English translations. The rendering of the people is also superb. The exquisite art is done on watercolor paper with acrylics, which results in an unusual and vivid effect. A template for wishing paper is included in the back of the book. The lessons and observations in The Wishing Tree are ageless, and the book offers many opportunities for discussion."
"Thong's narrative voice has a gentle and musical quality that will lure readers into the book's pages, as well as into the landscape of this lovely little corner of China."
-School Library JournalRoseanne Thong is the author of three other children’s books (Red is a Dragon, One is a Drummer, Round is a Mooncake) and several adult short stories. Roseanne makes wishes at Hong Kong’s Wishing Tree each year, together with her daughter (who wishes for a dog) and her husband (who wishes their flat/house was big enough for a dog). Roseanne’s wish is for her readers to visit her website to learn more about Wishing Trees!
Connie McLennan has been illustrating books, magazines and advertisements for 22 years. She has a degree in journalism and studied art at Acacemy of Art College in San Francisco. She lives in Rocklin, California, with her husband and son. This is her second book for Shen's Books.
Shen’s Books is a publisher of multicultural children’s literature that emphasizes cultural diversity and tolerance, with a focus on introducing children to the cultures of Asia.
Through books, we can share a world a stories, building greater understanding and tolerance within our increasingly diverse communities as well as throughout our continuously shrinking globe.

















