The Wish Tree is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
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SUMMARY
"The Wish Tree" by Kyo Maclear is a heartwarming story that centers around a young boy named Charles and his quest to find a Wish Tree. His brother and sister say that there is no such thing and so Charles ventures into the wintry forest with his trusty sled named Boggen to find the Wish Tree. Along the way, he encounters various forest animals who join him on his mission and they become a team. Together, they search for the special Wish Tree, hoping to find the perfect wish to make. As they explore, Charles learns the importance of empathy, friendship, and the power of a selfless wish. Through lyrical prose and enchanting illustrations, "The Wish Tree" reminds readers of the beauty of nature, the joy of giving, and the magic of wishes. In the end, Charles discovers the importance of friendship and teamwork and learns that the journey can be just as fun as arriving at the final destination.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Teach a lesson on multiple meaning words using examples from the story.
- Introduce or review how and why author’s use ellipses.
- Discuss the importance of kindness.
- Discuss what it means to persevere and why it is important.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
- A Loud Winter's Nap by Katy Hudson
- Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
