A Thousand Wishes – A Heartwarming Story of Being Different

About the book
A Thousand Wishes is a children’s book about difference and belonging. With charming illustrations, it tells a tender and heartwarming story about growing up, discovering each other’s true beauty, and realizing that everyone has their own special place in the world.

Under the gentle care of the bees, Lucy has grown from a hopeful little seed into a tall flower with a soft golden crown that shines like the sun. She loves her life in the meadow among her many colorful friends. No matter the weather, they always find joy together—and life feels wonderful.

But one day, Lucy’s best friend Florian is taken away by a great hand. The next day another friend disappears. Then another. And another. Soon, Lucy finds herself standing all alone in what was once a vibrant, beautiful meadow.
The weather no longer feels exciting without her friends to share it with. The sun seems less warm, and what’s the point of swaying in the wind when there’s no one to sway with?
Yet perhaps Lucy still has an important role to play—one she has not yet discovered.

Excerpt from the book:
“One day, Lucy hears a new voice. It sounds louder than the voices she is used to. Before she even realizes what’s happening, her best friend is no longer by her side. Where did he go? Then she hears the voices again and looks up. A hand is holding her friend, along with many others who once lived nearby with the bumblebees. Lucy wants to join too! She proudly spreads out her golden crown and smiles as sweetly as she can.

‘Don’t pick that one, little one, it’s just a weed,’ says another voice. And just like that, the voices are gone, the hand is gone—along with her best friend. Weed? Lucy wonders. What does that mean?”

Available in hardcover and eBook, in Norwegian and English edition.

Written by Cathrine L. Wilhelmsen, with illustrations by Petter Winther.