The Wishing Well

In this emotionally rich story from New York Times bestselling author Gideon Sterer and award-winning illustrator Emily Hughes, a monster trapped at the bottom of a wishing well plots his escape, reminding us that true wealth is measured not in coins but in love, freedom, and the beauty of nature.

"Unhurried text and deliberately paced images that nod to classic fairy tales build to a satisfying story that speaks not only to the follies of getting and having but to the rewards of taking the long view." -- Publishers Weekly

Plip! Plop! Plip! The coins fall down into the well, and at the bottom is the monster who must record all the wishes. The people wish for puppies, or ponies, but most of all, they wish to be rich. They think that will make them happy. But the monster, surrounded by money, knows that the treasures of their lives above make them rich already. The hugs, the kisses, the books, the stars, and the seasons are all that he wishes for.

His lonely plight--and daring escape--will have readers reconsidering their wildest wishes.

Perfect for fans of John Klassen's modern fables, The Wishing Well celebrates the beauty and wonder of all we take for granted.

Gideon Sterer is the New York Times bestselling author of many picture books, including We Are Already Haunting Here, illustrated by Charlie Mylie, and the Indie bestseller If You Make a Call on a Bananaphone, illustrated by Emily Hughes. Growing up in upstate New York, Gideon stared down many wells, threw in many coins, and wondered always just what was down there. He currently lives in Brooklyn.

Visit Gideon at gideonsterer.com and on social media @gideonsterer.

Emily Hughes is an internationally recognized children's illustrator and author from Hilo, Hawaii, whose books include Wild and the Indie bestseller If You Make a Call on a Bananaphone, written by Gideon Sterer. Emily currently lives and draws in East London.