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The Wishing Well

Contributors

By Gideon Sterer

Illustrated by Emily Hughes

Formats and Prices

On Sale
Sep 1, 2026
Page Count
48 pages
Publisher
Union Square Kids
ISBN-13
9781454963615
Age Range
4–8

Price

$19.99

Price

$25.99 CAD

Format

Hardcover

Format:

Hardcover $19.99 $25.99 CAD

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.

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

About the Author

Gideon Sterer is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Christmas Owl and the indie bestseller Treehouse Town, as well as I Will Read to You, and The Midnight Fair, and many other books. Gideon grew up in upstate New York, where his parents owned a little zoo in which he would run around after hours and let the animals out. He now lives in New York City and invites you to visit him online at gideonsterer.com.

Drew Beckmeyer is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor-winning picture book Stalactite & Stalagmite, as well as I Am a Tornado, The First Week of School, and The Long Island. He is also an elementary school teacher based in Los Angeles, and he invites you to visit him online at drewbeckmeyer.com.

Learn more about this author