A wish is a tiny story: this is what I want, this is why the world should change, and this is what I think will happen next. Children’s books delight in testing all three parts. Pebbles, fish, coins, wells, stars, and birthday candles may grant exactly what a character asks for; the trouble begins when “exactly” turns out not to mean “wisely.” Other wishes remain unmagical and still matter — a dog, a friend, a family restored, or a good future for someone you love.
Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of 238 books about wishes, our editors chose fifteen that range from sturdy first myths and classic picture books to funny family stories, cautionary folktales, and full-length wish adventures. Start with the fixed shortlist below, then browse gentle first wishes, read-alouds full of surprising consequences, and chapter books for readers ready to discover how complicated one request can become.
A donkey finds a pebble that grants wishes, then makes the one wish he cannot undo.
Four siblings find a coin that grants only half of each wish, which makes asking for anything an arithmetic problem.
A sick princess asks for the moon, and a palace full of experts explains why the request is impossible.
A traveling stranger sells three townspeople one wish apiece, with terms far more literal than they expect.
A cascade of good wishes celebrates curiosity, courage, friendship, and the small pleasures of an ordinary day.
Five siblings dig up a sand-fairy that grants one wish each day, and spend every afternoon escaping the result.
A fisherman releases a magical fish, but his wife’s wishes climb from comfort to power and then beyond reason.
A girl receives one perfect wish and discovers that choosing what to ask for is harder than finding the magic.
Charles sets off with his sled to find a wish tree and keeps meeting animals who need help along the way.
A grieving girl finds a mermaid’s stolen comb and is offered the one wish she most wants at a dangerous price.
Ten precise rules explain how to make a birthday wish, including what to do if your species does not use candles.
Tired of losing every contest to her older brother, a girl wishes on a falling star to beat him at something — anything.
Little Midas wishes that everything were yellow, then discovers that even a favorite color can become too much.
New-baby hopes, birthday candles, nursery rhymes, and first Midas stories in sturdy books for ages 0–3.
A special star reveals a grandma's wishes for her new grandchild.
Whisper wishes for magical dreams and sweet slumber.
A wish upon a star leads to a magical night sky adventure.
Snow threatens Christmas. Can bear cubs save the day?
Discover the magic of heartfelt Christmas wishes in this enchanting holiday tale.
A puppy finds a way to celebrate New Year before midnight.
Discover soothing bedtime rituals that promise sweet dreams and a restful night for little ones.
Peter Rabbit tries to stay awake on Christmas Eve to catch a glimpse of Santa.
Asha's wish to the stars sparks a cosmic adventure to save her kingdom.
Wishing stars, magic objects, birthday rules, and folktales in which every word of the request matters — read-alouds for ages 3–8.
On Octember the First, all your wildest wishes come true. What will you wish for?
A puppet's quest to become real leads to daring adventures.
A young girl's desire for a magic pencil leads her to discover the power of her own voice and the importance of education.
A boy's quest to catch a star leads to unexpected discoveries.
Two kids find their jump rope in a magical fox world.
A mother's wishes for her children unfold in a tender bedtime tale.
A young girl faces a life-changing journey across the sea in search of a new home.
A pegasus seeks a fallen star to wish for friends, discovering unexpected companionship.
A girl's dream voyage on her namesake boat becomes reality. Who joins her?
A lonely rabbit grants wishes, finds friendship, but risks losing the stars.
A wish for the tallest hair leads to unexpected challenges.
A young bunny finds comfort in a legend after losing his grandmother during the first snowfall.
Coins, genies, wells, mermaids, and wishes complicated enough to carry a whole novel, for readers ages 7–13.
A mysterious nanny arrives to mend a grieving family's broken bonds with a touch of magic.
A boy's wishes could save the world or lead to chaos. Can he handle the consequences?
A girl believes her missing mum is a star and sets out to prove it.
A girl believes a solar eclipse can bring back her deceased mother.
A genie escapes her lamp, facing a world of hidden dangers and ancient conflicts.
A young boy navigates the challenges of growing up and understanding the world around him.
A lonely girl, magical coins, and a web of danger. What secrets will Lillian Velvet uncover?
A grieving boy finds hope and secrets in unexpected friendships.
A frog's quest to become a knight leads to a magical adventure.
A girl seeks a magical bird to grant her deepest wish, defying her brittle bone disease.
A young girl navigates the challenges of childhood, including friendship, family, and growing up, while also learning about the power of imagination and the importance of believing in oneself.
A wish strips Heidi of her magic. Can she solve problems without spells?
