“Independence is a good thing, but sometimes we’re all just a little too independent. When something goes wrong or gets broken, we feel compelled to fix the problem ourselves. But sometimes our fixer-uppers just don’t work right. That’s what happened to Wanda. While playing with her cat, Whiskey, Wanda Wizzlewoop (I love the last name, great alliteration!) broke her wand. She concocts a means to fix it, but her fixer-upper wand does everything backward, upside down and really strange – like casting a spell to stop the rain and instead it rains frogs and toads. Not exactly what Wanda had in mind. Upset, she’s startled when Whiskey asks her what’s wrong and then informs her, quite simply, that “it’s okay to ask for help”. And it is okay. Something we all need to do from time to time.
“Deborah Kupfer’s picture book story, Wanda’s Wand, is a fun read. Young readers will find Wanda’s situation both sad and, at times, rather funny. Accompanied by colorful illustrations by artist Tina Wijesiri, the story is full of silliness as Wanda’s situation worsens with each attempt to make use of her broken (and then mended) wand. Part of growing up is learning how to fix things, how to solve problems, but it’s also about learning to ask for and accept help when the need arises. A powerful message shared with the love and compassion of a young witch and her treasured cat. The language is simple to appeal to young readers and may also be used as a read-along, early reader for those beginning to read.”
