Imagine this implication for a baby, someone who’s
very existence revolves around their ‘demands’. So, when young Flick discovers
her baby sister, Birdie has a gift for wishing things true, her best
big sister status is instantly elevated to something
altogether more serious.
The Party Wish is the first colourful caper in Aussie author, Allison Rushby’s latest junior fiction series, The Wish Sisters. Flick and Birdie, aka the Wish Sisters, have inherited a very special and powerful gift from their recently departed Granny Aggie; the ability to fulfil their own wishes.
This particular blessing (or curse as wonton wishing making has proven in the past), comes with an impudent imp as their overseer. Trouble is, Imp has an annoying tendency to twist wishes for his own amusement. In fact, he twisted Flick’s wish making ability so much, none of her wishes work.
When Birdie wishes herself a Petunia Unicorn super-fabulous
birthday party resplendent with a marshmallow ball pit and cupcake pooping
Petunia modelled after her favourite picture book, things look super fabulous
indeed. Even Flick’s mum and dad concede cloud cakes and sour strap slippery
slides are crazy good fun. But with nosy neighbours on the loose and the greed
of grown ups to avoid, Imp advises the children to keep this magical gift from
others. Only Oli, Flick’s best buddy and super brain, is in on the act.
Together they become Birdie’s self-appointed wish guardians, because well, you
can just imagine the crazy outcomes that could ensue from unchecked underage free-range
wish mongering.
The Wish Sisters is a
bouncy carefree start to what feels like a fun series. The unpredictability of
baby Birdie’s future wish making is an animated setup for future sibling-based
adventures that focuses on family in a convivial way. It has high early primary
schooler appeal and is structured and illustrated in way that encourages newly independent
readers to tuck in head first. Even though the business of making wishes is
harder than first appears especially if carried out haphazardly, it is easy to
enjoy the lighter side of this series, too. I mean who wouldn’t want a cup-cake
dispensing unicorn of their own. They’ve got to be easier to manage than a
permanently peeing puppy, right?!
Look out for The Party Wish and its follow ups to put a little razzle dazzle in your young reader’s life.
Check out our KBR reviews of Allison’s other middle
grade novels, here.
Author: Allison Rushby
Illustrator: Karen Blair
Publisher: UPQ, $12.99
Publication Date: 28 February 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780702265921
For ages: 6 – 8
Type: Junior Fiction