Allison Rushby (text) and Karen Blair (illustrator), The Christmas wish (The Wish Sisters #5), University of Queensland Press, October 2023, 108 pp., RRP $12.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780702266362
The latest and fifth book in The Wish Sisters series, titled The Christmas wish, has been released for the Christmas season. It re-introduces the reader to baby Birdie, who has magical powers to make wishes come true, and her responsible older sister, Flick, who is ever watchful to smooth over any ensuing chaos from Birdie’s wishes.
In this fifth book, Flick has mixed feelings about Christmas coming, because it will be the family’s first Christmas since Granny Aggie passed away. And there is no knowing what can happen when Birdie starts making wishes.
Flick soon cheers up when her family and friends get busy with pre-Christmas preparations – decorating gingerbread houses together and helping the nosy neighbour, Mrs Mortlake, decorate her Christmas tree. This neighbourly Christmas spirit of co-operation is fun, but all the references to Christmas wishes makes Flick uneasy. Birdie helping to make wishes come true – AND the mischievous imp twisting her wishes – could be chaotic and expose the secret of Birdie’s wish making power. Flick has to think creatively and act quickly to protect Birdie.
Accomplished author, Allison Rushby, expertly tells this funny and engaging story in a just few pages, with plenty of suspense and surprises, as well as feel good moments and heartfelt sadness of missing Flick’s Grandmother.
Blair’s funny, lively black and white images, between the text, further develop the characters and add meaning to story events. I especially love the full-page image of the characters absorbed in gingerbread decorating whilst the imp peers out from under the tablecloth.
The Christmas wish is in bridging novel format which supports reading confidence. I recommend it as a Christmas gift for newly independent readers (about 6-8 years) who love stories about family and friendship with an enchanting element of make believe.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz