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My Perfect Birthday Wish
Reviews
Linda Rocco
“My Perfect Birthday Wish is beautifully written and illustrated, and it carries an important message about friendship, sharing, and discovering what truly matters most. Sharon’s positive spirit shines through every page, and her words at the end - ‘never stop believing in yourself’ - are something so many people need to hear.”
Jessica Lollio
“A heartwarming birthday tale with a timeless message - reminding us that the best gifts are the ones we give from the heart. Delightfully told and illustrated, this story is a treasure for my granddaughter's bookshelf.”
Sage
“The magical forest, delightful elves, and wonderful surprise at the end make the lesson feel like part of an adventure rather than a lesson at all. A story children will enjoy - and families will want to read together.”
Eddie K.
“A wonderful story to add to our birthday traditions. We liked when Fenn discovered that the very best wishes aren't always about what we get, but what we can share with others.”
About the Book
In a whimsical elfin village, a young elf takes on the challenge of making a perfect birthday wish. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning that the true magic of a birthday wish isn’t all about what you get, but the joy a wish can bring to all. Filled with charm and gentle life lessons, this enchanting story celebrates family traditions, kindness, and the power of a giving heart.
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Sometimes, a story finds you, and sometimes, you must find the story. My Perfect Birthday Wish is one of those stories I had to seek out.
One hot summer day, enjoying the comfort of my air-conditioned office with a hot cup of coffee in hand, I was listening to a literary agent speak at an online seminar. She shared valuable insights for children's book authors, but one comment stood out—she mentioned that the industry was lacking fresh, modern birthday stories. Whether she meant it as a challenge or not, that’s exactly how I took it.
I had no ideas for a birthday story, so I thought who would be better to give me an idea than children. For help, I called my cousin Lindsey, who is always busy grandmothering. Three days later, we were sitting at lunch with her three precious girls aged seven to nine. They excitedly shared details about today’s birthday traditions—parties, gifts, cake—but not one of them mentioned the birthday wish. When I asked, they confirmed that they still made a wish while blowing out their candles. But no one ever talked about their wish before or after their birthday, and no one ever asked if their wish came true.
Ah-ha! A tradition that already existed but needed depth, direction, and a little magic. Within a week, I had a rough draft of my story.
Then came a big challenge—illustrations. Reuben McHugh, the incredibly talented artist behind my last four books, was unavailable for this project. Over the next two years, I explored different artists and even tried AI, but nothing matched the magic of Reuben’s work. Finally, I reached out again; this time, he had room in his schedule. It was meant to be!
The story continued to evolve through the waiting, deepening into something even more enchanting. My Perfect Birthday Wish follows nine-year-old Fenn as he struggles to choose the perfect birthday wish. His journey will resonate with children ages four to ten as they recognize their own tendency to hold onto something they love and discover the joy of sharing it with others.
As with all my books, there’s a backstory encouraging children to get outdoors and embrace the wonders of nature. It includes the tale of how I met an old elf on my birthday bike ride—an elf who shared the secret to the perfect birthday wish with me.
As you prepare for your next family celebration, I would be honored if My Perfect Birthday Wish became part of your birthday traditions.
Wishes do come true