I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Published 2015. 22 unnumbered pages. R.L. 1.8 K-3.  This is the perfect book for wrapping up a school year with your students.

Booklist (May 1, 2015 (Vol. 111, No. 17))

Preschool-Grade 1. Known for their clever collaborations like Duck! Rabbit! (2009)—who knew bunny ears and water fowl bills could have so much in common?—and Wumbers (2012), Rosenthal and Lichtenheld have come up with another book full of unique perspectives. This paean to wishes includes such charmers as, “I wish you more tippy-toes than deep,” illustrated with a picture of a boy whose grin just barely breaks the surface of a pool’s aquamarine depths. A cheery yellow atmosphere embraces two girls holding each other next to the hope, “I wish you more hugs than ughs,” while another vignette features a girl flying across the page, pulled by the leash of an exuberant dog, to the accompaniment of, “I wish you more woo-hoo! than whoa!” Primarily colored in blues, greens, and sunshine and inhabited by children representing a multiracial spectrum, this makes a nice end-of-year offering to graduates of all ages and grades, from preschool to grad school. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: This überpopular, best-selling duo have a solid reputation in the picture-book world. Expect demand to be high.

As the school year comes to end each year, I find myself straddling two big emotions. Like my students, I am excited to begin my summer break, but dreading saying good bye to the students who have been my life for the last 9 months. Sharing this simple book, I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, as a read aloud with my class is the best way to tell my students that they will be missed while, at the same time, letting them know I think they have an amazing adventure ahead of them.  After sharing the book with my class, I ask them to notice the cover.  On it, a young boy is blowing on a dandelion making a wish.  I ask my students to share with the class some of their wishes for the future.   

Posted by Kellie Hale