Wishing Machine, The

Reach for this book when you want to teach your child how to find magic in the mundane, or when your family is navigating a season of 'making do' with limited resources. It is a beautiful resource for parents looking to validate a child's feelings of wanting more while simultaneously celebrating the abundance of love and imagination that costs nothing. The story follows a young boy and his mother on their weekly trip to the laundromat, which they transform into a 'Wishing Machine.' While the mother's wishes are grounded in practical needs like a stable home, the boy weaves a world of fantasy to pass the time. It gently touches on themes of housing insecurity and financial stress without being heavy-handed, making it a perfect choice for building empathy and resilience in children ages 4 to 8.