I love books! When I was young I would hide under the covers, reading WAY past bedtime. I found it impossible to put a good book down. I still do.
Something I want more than anything is for my children develop that same love of reading.
Thankfully, it’s looking good on that score so far, and both my boys are voracious readers, and their younger sister is showing all the signs of going the same way.
We were asked if we would like to review The Wishing Machine by Sadie Kaye and, of course, we said yes.
This was quite some time ago, life got in the way! But, both the boys and myself have now had the chance to read the book.
It was a hit, especially with my seven year old. Having read it myself, I knew immediately that it would appeal to his sense of humour and was pitched just right for his age group.
The Wishing Machine is an illustrated chapter book, aimed at younger readers. The language and ideas are accessible without being too simplistic and it is perfect for readers that are just starting to enjoy chapter books. For younger readers, it would make for a perfect read-along.
You can’t always get what you wish for. Or can you?… The Wishing Machine is a contemporary fairy-tale story set in the harsh real world, providing the young and the young at heart with a thoroughly modern and humorous twist on the traditional fairy-tale theme of Be Careful What You Wish For!
After their father is made redundant, Mia and Kaz find themselves living in dilapidated old house, recently inherited by their father. In the basement they discover an old and temperamental washing machine and after a some rather strange occurances realise that it can grant wishes.
They rename it the Wishing Machine and make their first real wishes. However, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for! Even the simplest of wishes can go horribly wrong and they soon begin to understand that with magical powers comes responsibility.
The book takes us on a journey with Mia as she negotiates a new school and making new friends after her world is turned upside down by the enforced move to a new town.
The book is funny and heartwarming, and the 7yo loved it. His favourite parts involved misadventures with a miniature railway and an unusual appearance on a well know quiz show…
The illustrations, by Charlotte Farhan, are bold, bright and colourful and add a wonderful dimension to the story. For this age group of reader, the added bonus of pictures through the text is bound to be a hit and my son commented on them straight away.
In the tradition of all good fairy tales, the family get their final wishes, some courtesy of the Wishing Machine and some all by themselves. But, to find out what mistakes they make a long the way, and what those final wishes are, you’ll have to read the book!
We all enjoyed The Wishing Machine and I would recommend it for readers aged 5-8.
If you’d like to know more about the author Sadie Kaye you can check out her website. The book is available to buy (priced $4.99/£7.99), and is also available for Kindle.
Good review and it sounds like something my daughter would really enjoy and can spark her imagination.
She’s a lover of books too and it’s good to see, and we’re always looking out for books that can stretch her but have content that’s appropriate.
This is a fun book, and it would be a quick read for her :)
My sons not quite the right age but he too loves a bedtime story and has stacks of books piled up, i used to love reading as a child and hope he does too x
It’s wonderful to see them enjoy books, isn’t it :)
Lovely review – I think my niece would enjoy this book so will have to pick up a copy for her! xx
It’s definitely a fun read, my 7yo still mentions it every so often!
The illustrations in this are brilliant! lovely review :)
The illustrations are good fun aren’t they? A nice addition to a chapter book.
Love the illustations, sounds like a lovely read
My 7yo thought it was great!
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Lovely review. It sounds like a great book xx
Thank you, it’s a fun read x
Loving the illustration in this! Nothing like finding a beautifully written and illustrated book x
Absolutely, and I think the illustrations really add something to a chapter book.
Ahh that sounds like such a magical story, I’ll keep it in mind when Tyler’s a bit older. He’s still into all his train books at the mo! x
Ha! He’ll be reading chapter books before you know it!
This sounds worse til, Luka whisk definitely be into this. I was always the same as you- and still do read way longer than I should at bedtime! Haha xx
I know, a good book will keep me up till all hours!