Every Sunday after cereal, Sam and Mom walk to the laundromat, wash their clothes, and see their friends. But this Sunday is different. Today, doing laundry means packing clean clothes in boxes to move away. Sam doesn’t want to leave their neighborhood and friends. Maybe if they hope with all their might, they can turn a washing machine into a wishing machine! Sam’s imagination transforms the mundane into a series of wonders as they cope with change and learn the true meaning of home.
The Wishing Machine is a warm and loving depiction of a diverse, working-class neighborhood. The story tenderly depicts the sadness that comes with moving away as the mundane laundromat transforms into a world of colorful possibility and hope through Sam’s childlike eyes. This wonder-filled perspective perfectly captures the nuanced feelings involved with change and big life transitions and makes it deeply relatable to any imaginative young reader.
This is a delightful story and I loved the characters and the illustrations!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jonathan Hillman is a graduate of Hamline University’s Writing for Children and Young Adults (MFAC) program, where he received the Walden Pond Press Scholarship for Excellence in Middle Grade Fiction. His essay and poems are featured in the Fat & Queer anthology, and he is the author of picture books Big Wig and The Wishing Machine. He lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his two cats. Visit him at JHillmanBooks.com.
Nadia Alam is a second-generation Bangladeshi Canadian illustrator. She lives in Toronto with her husband, daughter, son, and dog named Momo. The Wishing Machine is her first book for children. Visit her online at NadiaAlamIllustration.com.
Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book to facilitate this post. Information and images were also provided.
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