Wishes

very sparse text; perfect illustrations.
The story of emigration out of Vietnam.

With a sparse but powerful text from author Mượn Thị Văn and gorgeously expressive artwork from illustrator Victo Ngai, this moving picture-book explores the experience of one refugee family, fleeing Vietnam on a boat, late one night. The visual narrative centers around a little girl,

Show More

watching as her mother, grandfather and other relatives prepare, and then following as she and her mother and baby brother board a boat. The text imagines what all manner of inanimate objects might wish, in relation to the journey—the sun wishes it were less hot, home wishes it were not so far away—but the girl's own wish remains unspoken but understood, as the text reads "I didn't have to wish...anymore," as the hoped-for destination comes into view...

Wishes is the third picture-book I have read from Mượn Thị Văn, following upon her debut, In a Village By the Sea, and her more recent Clever Little Witch, but it is the first I have encountered from Victo Ngai. I found the marriage of text and image here almost flawless, and was moved to tears by the end. Sometimes, less is more, and Văn and Ngai understand this, using simple words and understated (but beautiful) images to communicate their story. I appreciated the thoughtful notes from both author and artist, included at the rear, and the knowledge that both story and illustration spring from their creators' own lives. Although Văn speaks of the things one can do to help refugees, in her own brief note, her narrative itself is utterly non-didactic, simply setting out one little girl's experiences in a big, frightening world, and letting the reader come to their own conclusion. Highly, highly recommend, to all picture-book readers looking for refugee stories, or for beautiful artwork.

Show Less

75 words have never meant so much as they do in this immigration story. The Caldacot worthy illustrations are as much a part of the story as the heart wrenching words. This story is beautiful and heartbreaking, and very needed in libraries now.

Words are difficult to express the beauty of this incredible book which deals with a little girl's perspective being a refugee moving with her family to another country. Fleeing Vietnam in a boat that doesn't appear large enough, with a sky that is dark, and a long, scary journey of the unknown

Show More

ahead.

As the girl, her mother and baby brother board the crowded boat, there are many wishes, including those the little girl imagines the objects might also have.

Perhaps the sun wishes it wasn't as hot, the journey wishes it wasn't so long, the girls heart wishes it was stronger, perhaps the path wishes it was shorter, and in the end when they arrive, she doesn't need to wish anymore.

This book brought tears. I couldn't help but wish that those who do not want to accept refugees might find a different perspective and open their hearts, putting themselves in the place of those in the boat.

The illustrations are incredible! The text is heart felt, and the wishes for a safe journey and a safe life are expressed sparsely with a lot of depth of feeling.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Show Less