After reading Wishtree to my library group, I knew I had to do more. When a really good book sticks with children, and they’re not ready to let go, it’s up to me to make something meaningful happen. I can’t leave children hanging.
The library has a beautiful red maple tree by their entrance.
We could write wishes and hang them on the tree! The children loved this idea! And so, we wrote wishes.
This is my favorite from Gaia:
“I wish all people would get together.”
The library loves the wish tree. They are planning on adding this to their summer program, having children write wishes to adorn the tree. Isn’t that wonderful? I never had a chance as a child to write a wish, much less hang it on a tree. We always wrote what we were thankful for, and children still do that today. While that is wonderful, opening the world to wishes can take thankfulness to a new, deeper level.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
That’s special Jennie, lovely thing to do.
Thank you, FR.
‘I wish to cook cereal when I am big’. That is so endearing. You are forever enriching the lives of those children, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
I loved that wish! Thank you for your kind words, Pete.
What a beautiful idea, Jennie 🧡
Thank you, Ritu!
What a marvellous idea! I love the wishes. Happiness seems to be important to many. 😁
Thanks, Darlene! I’ll have to take a picture of the tree at the end of the summer when it’s full of wishes. 🙂
Please do!
😀
This is a wonderful idea Jennie I really love this wish tree 💜💜💜
Many thanks, Willow! 😍
what a meaningful and joyful event, bringing this story experience to life. so glad the library loves it and will use the idea as well. ❤
Many thanks, Beth. I felt the same way.
“Wish Tree” by Katherine Applegate was a great read. I’ve kept the book I have because a good book always deserves a second read. What a great way to immerse the children in a meaningful way.
Thank you! You’re right about good books deserving a second read. I’ve read this many times to children and it always feels new and exciting.
beautiful 🌳 💙
Thank you.
Wishes are important beginnings to action. Thanks for sharing, Jennie.
Well put, John!
Thank you, Laura. 😊
Yes!
Well said, John. I’m glad you enjoyed this.
I did like it. 😊
😀
What a wonderful followup activity!
Thank you, Cathy! I’m glad it went well.
Jennie! These words…sort of “you” personified:
“I can’t leave children hanging.”
Oh, how that comes through in all that you do, all that you share! Cheers to your big heart.
xoxoxoxox💝💝💝💝💝
I’m so glad that came across. Yes, that’s me. Many thanks, Vicki!!! 💕
Love you, Jennie! 😊💝😊
Love you, too! 💕
What a sweet and lovely activity!
Thank you!
What a creative idea. The wish tree is such a wonderful thing to do with the kids. They will remember that.
Many thanks, Thomas. I do hope they remember.
“I wish everyone loved reading.” Yes! (I think that was you. ☺️) Congrats on a great idea, Jennie, and the library adopting it for future use. I don’t think I every placed a wish on a tree. I did read in one, though!
Yes, that was me! Many thanks, Melanie. I’m so glad the library has adopted this. Wish trees are all over the world and especially popular in Ireland. May 1st is the day to put a wish on a wish tree. I saw one in a remote place on Cape Cod once, with shells as the wishes. I was thunderstruck.
That is a great visual for me to imagine shells hanging on a tree, Jennie! That is so cool! Were the wishes taped inside?
No, but I knew it was a wish tree.
I’m so sorry! That was just the old reporter in me trying to get the whole story; I am endlessly curious! Shells on a tree sound beautiful.
Please, don’t be sorry at all! It was a great question. When I first read this book, I researched wish trees. I learned so much. That’s how I knew the tree with shells was a wish tree. I was was with friends, and they wanted to pull some of the shells off the tree. Noooo… I had to tell them the tree was sacred, a wish tree. We were very lucky to see it. I hope I see another wish tree, beyond the one at the library.
Another great post, Jennie.
Thank you, Anneli!
What splendid wishes. Wishing you all of the good things, Jennie. Hugs.
Many thanks, Teagan! Hugs!
What a fun idea to wrap up Wishtree. If I recall, I read it after your recommendation, Jennie. Very touching book.
It really is. When the whole school showed up to hang the wish ‘stay’ on the tree, I cried. Just typing that fills me up.
Hi Jennie, Thank you for a wonderful post!
I’m so glad you liked it, Charles. Thank you!
I love the wishes the children wrote! They are our future, after all.
Yes, they are. Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie.
I love this idea!!
I’m so glad!
This is so important and motivational for children. We need to be One United and Happy beings. Thanks a lot dear Jennie ❤️🙏