The Wishing Flower

Illustrated by Kip Alizadeh
Look inside
Hardcover
$18.99 US
9.87"W x 9.75"H x 0.36"D  
On sale May 30, 2023 | 32 Pages | 978-0-593-43044-6
| Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD520L | Fountas & Pinnell M
An LGBTQ-inclusive story about understanding your peers, your feelings, and yourself, The Wishing Flower is a love letter to longing, belonging, and longing to belong.

Birdie finds comfort in nature and books, but more than anything she longs for connection, to be understood. At school, Birdie feels like an outsider. Quiet and shy, she prefers to read by herself, rather than jump rope or swing with the other kids. That all changes when Sunny, the new girl, comes along. Like Birdie, Sunny has a nature name. She also likes to read, and loves to rescue bugs. And when Sunny smiles at her, Birdie’s heart balloons like a parachute. 

From the acclaimed author of Dance Like a Leaf, with stunning illustrations by Kip Alizadeh, this book will inspire readers to honor their wishes and show the world their truest selves.
A.J. Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry on her big back porch in a tiny town near Jackson, Wyoming. As an author and former bookmobile librarian, A.J. is passionate about inspiring children to read. She received a B.A. in journalism and women’s and gender studies from the University of Oregon. She is also the author of DANCE LIKE A LEAF. View titles by A.J. Irving
★ "A strong ­purchase for all collections, especially as a social-­emotional text." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "An expertly drawn and composed introduction to self-discovery." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"[Shows] exactly how it feels to be seen and understood as never before." —Publishers Weekly
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

About

An LGBTQ-inclusive story about understanding your peers, your feelings, and yourself, The Wishing Flower is a love letter to longing, belonging, and longing to belong.

Birdie finds comfort in nature and books, but more than anything she longs for connection, to be understood. At school, Birdie feels like an outsider. Quiet and shy, she prefers to read by herself, rather than jump rope or swing with the other kids. That all changes when Sunny, the new girl, comes along. Like Birdie, Sunny has a nature name. She also likes to read, and loves to rescue bugs. And when Sunny smiles at her, Birdie’s heart balloons like a parachute. 

From the acclaimed author of Dance Like a Leaf, with stunning illustrations by Kip Alizadeh, this book will inspire readers to honor their wishes and show the world their truest selves.

Author

A.J. Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry on her big back porch in a tiny town near Jackson, Wyoming. As an author and former bookmobile librarian, A.J. is passionate about inspiring children to read. She received a B.A. in journalism and women’s and gender studies from the University of Oregon. She is also the author of DANCE LIKE A LEAF. View titles by A.J. Irving

Praise

★ "A strong ­purchase for all collections, especially as a social-­emotional text." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "An expertly drawn and composed introduction to self-discovery." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"[Shows] exactly how it feels to be seen and understood as never before." —Publishers Weekly

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

Books for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Every May we celebrate the rich history and culture of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Browse a curated selection of fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators that we think your students will love. Find our collection of titles here: Elementary School

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more

PRH Education Classroom Libraries

“Books are a students’ passport to entering and actively participating in a global society with the empathy, compassion, and knowledge it takes to become the problem solvers the world needs.” –Laura Robb   Research shows that reading and literacy directly impacts students’ academic success and personal growth. To help promote the importance of daily independent

Read more