Reader’s Annotation: The love of a friend can make all our wishes come true! This story is about how Willoughby's act of true friendship saved a lion from a life of sorrow.
Author/Illustrator: Greg Foley
Age: 4-7
genre/subject: Children's fantasy
Plot Summary: Willoughby recently moved to a new home and discovers a gold lion statue on a rock. The lion says he can grant him 10 wishes, but if he does not wish the most important of all wishes, the lion will remain stuck as a statue on the rock. Willoughby wishes for all sorts of amazing things, a larger home, a roller coaster...As he approaches his last wish, he notices the lion is sad. The lion misses his home, so as they fall asleep together that night, Willoughby spends his last wish on the lion, that he may return home. The lion leaves Willoughby a coin that reads: TRUE FRIEND.
Evaluation: Good story to convey the importance of giving and sacrificing. The color scheme is black, white and gold, which is different and quite pleasing.
Significance & Bibliographic Usefulness: The artwork is interesting, Foley uses a metalic gold that really pops.
Readalikes: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (same concepts, careful what you wish for)
Awards/Lists: Golden Sower Primary 2011-2012 for series
Links to reviews in professional review sources:
Hook: A true friend is worth 1,000 wishes!
Ideas, Uses: Talk about friendship. Talk about wishes. How did Willoughby demonstrate true friendship?
ISBN: 978-0061547508
Page Count: 40
Format: hardcover
Publisher: The Bowen Press
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