"Don’t Waste Your Wishes" by Kearen Enright is a heartfelt story that blends the magical with the meaningful. Sebastian, a lonely little dragon grappling with loss, discovers a wand with the power to grant him three wishes. Sebastian's first two wishes, driven by the desire for companionship and control, are disappointing. His first wish doesn't make him happy. His second wish makes him feel even worse! Nearly out of wishes, Sebastian has to decide what he really wants, before ALL of his wishes are wasted.
With the timeless appeal of dragons and magic, Sebastian's journey to understand desire, sadness, and the value of true friendship, resonates beyond its pages. After two failed attempts to find happiness, Sebastian finds that what is important to him can be found deep in his heart, rather than in any toy store or power trip. The most valuable things in life aren't riches and power, but those we find in genuine connections with others.
A significant aspect of this book's appeal lies in its illustrations, which are nothing short of magical. The artwork always breathes life into the narrative, with vibrant colors and dynamic expressions that captivate the imagination. The visual storytelling complements the written word beautifully, enhancing the emotional depth and thematic resonance of the tale.
The Story Behind This Book
Sebastian is a little and lonely dragon who has been granted three wishes. His first two wishes are a total bust! Now he’s terrified that all of his wishes will be wasted. Power and riches did NOT make him happy. Sebastian has to decide what he really wants. This is a sweet story about loneliness, priorities, and finding friendship.
Praise and Reviews
"I bought this for my granddaughter and can’t wait to give it to her for Christmas! The story is so heartwarming and relatable, and each illustration is like a work of art in itself! This is a must-have on a child’s bookshelf. Do yourself a favor: buy the hardcover, because this is going to be a book that kids will want to pass on to their own children. I might have to buy a second copy for my house!"
"A very delightful, heartwarming story about friendship. You can feel the love that was put into this story and it’s characters, plus the illustrations"
"Sweet take on the very important theme of embracing our differences."
"A wonderful children’s story that transcends time with its ever-lasting message. It’s heartfelt storyline, fun characters, and beautifully illustrated pictures capture any reader’s eye and heart."
"The illustrations are beautiful.
The story is beautiful.
The colors are bright
It is definitely a story, as a child I would have wanted told to me every night.
I actually would like it now. And I’m 61."
"I love this book. It captures how much what we want, sometimes isn’t really what we need. I love how the small dragon finds this out through three wishes granted to him."
"This is just a "delicious " book. The theme of finding love and connection after loss is so universal that both children and adults will understand it. We all know how it feels to wish/want something that we don't get. But now we have a wonderful book to help navigate those times. Reading it to a child is a joy...the story and the amazing pictures make it a read and read-again and again book. Giving it to grandkids, teachers, friends kids and others i know who will love it!"
"This book is so sweet, and it is illustrated beautifully. We loved the fun colors and the characters. It also had a great message too about friendship. Loved!"
"Don’t Waste Your Wishes is a playful and engaging story for people of any age. The book is full of vibrant drawings that bring you into their world! It’s a fun book to read again and again so that you can pick up new details with each read."
"Follow Sebastian the delightful dragon on his magical search for friendship. The colorful, whimsical illustrations bring this endearing story to life."
"I thought this book was really charming. It's nice to see something with good morals in a children's book."
"A heartwarming story, beautifully illustrated."
GoodReads reviews:
"What an amazing read! It is a must-read for children and adults alike. As an educator, I found it perfect for teaching kids about loss and the true meaning of happiness."
"Don't Waste Your Wishes' is truly a masterpiece! Both kids and their parents will really love this book and keep it as something special."
"A beautiful addition to our children's section. The themes of loss and friendship are presented in a way that is both sensitive and engaging. A wonderful resource for story-time and discussions."
"I read this book to my 7-year-old, and we both loved it. It opened up a conversation about what really matters in life. It's a great bedtime story with a meaningful message."
"I bought this book for my grandchildren, and we've read it multiple times. They love the character of Sebastian, and I appreciate the deeper messages about life and happiness."
