Wish in a tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Illus. by Nancy Carpenter

Involved in a show and tell, the reactions of the rest of the class tell the readers how Oliver is seen by others. He tells them about a bolas spider which lassoes its prey in a piece of sticky web, demonstrating the spider’s action. Shay tells the class that this is for show and tell, not just tell, while Albert is excited and wants to know more about the spider. Later at break, Oliver lies down to watch the ants. Some of the class think he is cool, but Shay again is dismissive. During writing, Oliver cannot set his mind to the task, instead thinking about how his pen looks like a shark, while Shay tells him that he is lazy and asks why he cannot be like the rest of the class. Through Shay we hear many of the slights given to those who are different.

At the next break, Oliver sits in the tree, wishing he was like the rest and his brain was not always behaving like a volcano. Albert responds that he wishes his brain was like Oliver’s and asks him to think about the leaves on the tree. Over the seasons the leaves change colour and it is at its most beautiful when the leaves are not all the same. He goes on to ask Oliver to imagine what the world would be like without scientists inventors and painters. Jada joins them and Oliver tells his friends that they are like ants, because ants come to the aid of other ants. And he goes on to say that in an ant colony, everyone is important. Albert tells him that he is astonishing. Oliver is thrilled and gets down from the tree, to be with his colony.

A delightful tale about acceptance, about being different, of the role of friends is told by Oliver as he comes to realise that being different is not something to be wished away, but a part of him that many people admire. In opening up to Albert, he gains a friend, a supportive, interested friend who admires Oliver.

Illustrations by Nancy Carpenter capture the thoughts of the children, from Shay’s dismissiveness to Albert’s support. Her multimedia approach to her work can be seen on her website by clicking the video link. It shows how Carpenter creates her characters. The array of classmates doing what has been asked of them is in stark contrast to the behaviour of Oliver, who is often staring into space, or sharing facts that excite him. Readers will see his differences and applaud those friends who tell him they admire his difference and support him in the times when people like Shay are set to undermine and hurt.

A good read aloud for kids to articulate their responses. Many will know about the subtle and not so subtle bullying that takes place and books such as these will give a platform for kids to talk about how they feel, and come to recognise that we are all different and that difference should be celebrated.

Themes: Difference, Bullying, Friendship, School, Humour.

Fran Knight