TISH

An imaginary friend passes from one child to another as each one outgrows him.

Tish starts life as a spark: an idea dreamed up by Charles Dimple as he writes a list labeled “The Perfect Friend.” When Tish, a brown-furred elephantlike creature with wings and a long tail, accompanies Charles to school, he sees other kids with Perfect friends. But after a while, the other Perfects start disappearing, and one day Charles Dimple cannot see Tish. Tish leaves and is dreamed up again by Annabeth Arch, who gives him a makeover: purple polka dots, pockets, and a new name. But when Annabeth makes up with her best friend, Tish needs to find a new Someone—again. Fortunately, 3-year-old Isabella Applebee—Izzy for short—is right next door, longing for a Perfect friend. Inevitably, Izzy grows older, too, but Tish finds a novel solution, ensuring he won’t be alone or the last of his kind. Imaginary friends are a staple of childhood, and Wyatt isn’t alone in centering one in a story—as Lee Bacon does in Imaginary (2021), illustrated by Katy Wu—but she does so with charm and a quaint style; the occasional use of capital letters is reminiscent of A.A. Milne, and the illustrations are black and white with effective use of spot color. Though Tish’s plight is explored with tenderness, the overall tone is lighthearted. Characters present as White.

A poignant, enchanting tale of an imaginary friend who develops an imagination of his own.