The Winter Wish
What’s inside...
In 'The Winter Wish,' readers are taken on a heartwarming journey with the protagonist, William, who lives in a magical bookshop. As Christmas approaches and the bookshop faces challenges, William creates a beautiful Christmas window display to attract customers. His efforts are rewarded when the reindeer in the display comes to life and grants William's wishes for his family and the surrounding shops, creating a memorable Christmas filled with hope and the power of words.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you feel when the main character made their winter wish?
How do you think the characters in the story show kindness to each other?
If you could make a winter wish like the character in the book, what would you wish for and why?
What do you think the main message of 'The Winter Wish' is?
How would you help a friend in need during winter, inspired by the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, validating their responses to deepen their understanding.
Relate questions to personal experiences, such as asking if they've ever wished something similar to the character, to make connections more meaningful.
Discuss the importance of kindness and helping others, drawing examples from the book and relating them to real-life situations.
Use the story’s setting and characters’ experiences to talk about winter activities your child enjoys and how they feel during the colder months.
After reading, ask your child to draw a picture of their own winter wish or write a short story about a winter adventure.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: In 'The Winter Wish,' the main character demonstrates kindness by helping a lost bird find shelter during a cold winter day.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by offering help to classmates or friends in need, fostering an environment of support and empathy.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the story, the character faces several challenges but keeps trying until they succeed in making the winter a bit warmer for the bird.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of not giving up, even when tasks or situations become difficult. They can use this lesson in their academic and personal life to achieve goals.
Example Lesson: The joy of sharing
Explanation: The protagonist shares their warm home and food with the bird, which brings them happiness and a new friend.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their belongings or time with others, understanding that this can lead to positive experiences and friendships.
Example Lesson: Empathy for creatures and nature
Explanation: The story emphasizes how humans can positively impact nature and its creatures, as shown through the character's care for the bird.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to take care of their environment and the animals within it, understanding their role in the larger ecosystem.
Example Lesson: The power of wishing and dreaming
Explanation: The central theme revolves around a wish that leads to magical events, illustrating how hopes and dreams can lead to positive actions and outcomes.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to dream big and understand that their aspirations can influence their actions and impact the world around them.