I WISH

Oh, the possibilities!

This wordless tale begins with a child discovering a wrapped present. Thrilled, they pause in anticipation, as if praying for something good. Then they tear off the paper only to find another wrapped box inside the first. They repeat the process, once more discovering another wrapped present! Perplexed, they try again, and this time the gift seems to take on a life of its own. First, it covers the child’s hand, then their feet, making for a pair of excellent running shoes. Next, the present takes on the appearance of a smartphone, a book, a dog, a dinosaur, a superhero cape, and more. Frustrated, the child gives up unwrapping and makes a stack of the boxes, which have apparently multiplied. They fall, get injured, and kick the present, causing it to roll up into a huge globe that then becomes the world. The child unwraps the package one more time and ends up with just what they need. Though a few moments may confuse readers, this book serves as a strong allegory for the immense satisfaction of daydreaming about possibilities. Relying on a limited palette dominated by black, white, blue, and red, the Spartan, cartoon-style art lets the manifestations of the wrapped present really pop. The child, with skin the color of the page and animated pigtails that emote like rabbit ears, is extremely expressive and effectively carries this silent narrative. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Fairly intriguing.