THREE WISHES - Softcover

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Clifton's newly illustrated story of a young African-American girl who realizes the value of friendship is as fresh and vital today as it was when first published (Viking, 1976; o.p.). The pictures, done in blue, brown, and pink oils on double-page spreads, are luminous and soft-edged; they have a hint of dreaminess and magic that matches the tone of the text. On a New Year's Day walk with her friend Victor, Nobie finds a penny with her birth year on it, a sure sign that she'll have three wishes granted. After her first wish brings out the sun on the cold, gloomy day, she and Victor have a disagreement and her next angry wish that he leave is fulfilled. Her mother's wise words help Nobie think about all the wonderful things that she and the boy have shared. Her last wish for a good friend brings a smiling Victor's return. Clifton's mastery of small details, her use of dialect and dialogue, and her descriptions bring out a welcome warmth and hominess in this simple yet satisfying story. Useful with groups as well as for one-on-one sharing, it's a gentle lesson on friendship and caring that young children will appreciate. --Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha Public Library, WI
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A reworking of the folk tale, originally part of the TV program ``Free to Be...You and Me'' and also published as a picture book in 1976, in an attractive third incarnation. Lightly flavored with the cadences of black speech, the story concerns Lena, who wastes the first two wishes of her New Year's good-luck penny on the weather and wishing her best friend to go away because she's annoyed with him; the third wish brings him back, confirming the strength of their friendship, if not of the penny. Hays's glowing realistic paintings of Lena and her friend Victor are set against gentle, more generalized backgrounds: a fine new setting for an appealing story from a favorite author. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.