Official Review: Weeping Willow's Wish by Brenda Elzin

[Cecilia_L]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Weeping Willow's Wish" by Brenda Elzin.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Weeping Willow's Wish by Brenda Elzin is a children's picture book that teaches young children about self-acceptance. Weeping Willow is unhappy because it looks different from the other trees. Instead of appreciating its low-hanging branches, Weeping Willow wants to be like the other trees and wishes for upright branches with leaves that change colors. When Weeping Willow uses its drooping branches to help others, it becomes happy and discovers that it likes being different after all.

This professionally edited book is 24 pages and is a sweet story. Elzin's descriptive writing creates a picturesque scene for little ones: "The day the magic happened was a lovely spring day with beautiful new flowers bursting with color, fluffy little white clouds in a bright blue sky and a gentle stream running along its course, making pleasant gurgling sounds." I especially like the message of self-acceptance that she conveys, as children experience the pressure to conform at an early age. Young readers will relate to Weeping Willow's lesson; by learning to accept themselves, they can celebrate differences in others. The picture book also introduces themes of sadness, happiness, helpfulness, bravery, and an appreciation for nature.

The book is delightfully illustrated by Jana Borja, and she does an excellent job of capturing the trees, animals, and nature. Weeping Willow's long, drooping branches resemble tousled hair. At the beginning of the story, the tree's sadness is personified. Likewise, when Weeping Willow helps others and realizes its purpose, the illustrations convey joy. The illustrations feature aesthetically pleasing hues in a soothing color palette.

It probably doesn't come as a surprise that there isn't anything I dislike about this uplifting story. Additionally, the book's cover describes Elzin and her son as “persons with autism" and states that "25% of proceeds are donated to skilled work training programs for persons with autism."

I wholeheartedly rate Weeping Willow's Wish 4 out of 4 stars. The book's delightful illustrations and encouraging message will entertain young children through the age of 7, and I recommend it to parents, teachers, and grandparents.

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Weeping Willow's Wish
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[JoyALB]

It sounds like a beautiful book with a strong and uplifting message for kids. I believe it is very important for kids to learn self acceptance from a young age. I look forward to reading this with my niece. Thank you for an awesome review!

[Josephe-Anne]

Thank you for your glowing review!

The positive message conveyed in this story will help young readers build self-esteem.

It's great that some proceeds from the book go to people with autism.

[Anmol Paul]

It is very important to learn how to love yourself and it happens when that person learns to accept themself just the way they are. I believe this is one of the best book for children because it will teach this one of the very important quality which would help them for success in life.

[Cecilia_L]

It sounds like a beautiful book with a strong and uplifting message for kids. I believe it is very important for kids to learn self acceptance from a young age. I look forward to reading this with my niece. Thank you for an awesome review!

Thank you, Joy!

[Cecilia_L]

Thank you for your glowing review!

The positive message conveyed in this story will help young readers build self-esteem.

It's great that some proceeds from the book go to people with autism.

You're welcome. I agree--thanks for your comment!

[Cecilia_L]

It is very important to learn how to love yourself and it happens when that person learns to accept themself just the way they are. I believe this is one of the best book for children because it will teach this one of the very important quality which would help them for success in life.

Thanks for sharing.

[Deprise Evans]

This sounds like a wonderful book that all kids need to read! Self acceptance is so important to teach kids, especially in our world today. This book sounds absolutely perfect for that. Thanks for the great review!

[Cecilia_L]

This sounds like a wonderful book that all kids need to read! Self acceptance is so important to teach kids, especially in our world today. This book sounds absolutely perfect for that. Thanks for the great review!

You're welcome. Thanks for your comment.

[T_stone]

This sounds like a well-written children's book that teaches self-acceptance. That it's professionally edited is a big plus. Thanks for the review.

[Cecilia_L]

This sounds like a well-written children's book that teaches self-acceptance. That it's professionally edited is a big plus. Thanks for the review.

Thank you for your comment.

[Allica]

This sounds like a good book to teach children it’s good to be different and who they are Because they are all special in a way

[AstridAlpha18]

This book sounds like to could really be a helpful tool for children to understand their emotions and, as the reviewer put it, self-acceptance. With children, and even adults, simply telling them to feel better and just accept themselves is easier said than done, typically resulting in just the opposite. Based on this review, it's clear that the author and editor worked together well in conveying that message in a way children and adults alike could relate to. Glad these tools exist to make the world just a little better, one child at a time.

[Cecilia_L]

This sounds like a good book to teach children it’s good to be different and who they are Because they are all special in a way

Thanks for your comment, Allica.

[Cecilia_L]

This book sounds like to could really be a helpful tool for children to understand their emotions and, as the reviewer put it, self-acceptance. With children, and even adults, simply telling them to feel better and just accept themselves is easier said than done, typically resulting in just the opposite. Based on this review, it's clear that the author and editor worked together well in conveying that message in a way children and adults alike could relate to. Glad these tools exist to make the world just a little better, one child at a time.
Thanks for sharing.