ANYTHING by Rebecca Stead
2025 Chronicle
This book is about wishes.
But really it is about
feeling loved and safe in the face of uncertainty.
Edelweiss: A reassuring and uplifting read
In Rebecca Stead’s debut picture book, a young girl’s father helps her navigate big feelings. They have moved to a new apartment. Nothing feels the same. Not even her favorite chocolate cake.
Dad encourages her: Make a wish. For anything.
And so begins a challenge. What Anythings would she wish for? A rainbow in her room. The biggest slice of pizza in the whole world. That today wasn’t Thursday…Each time, Dad finds a way.
But he can’t hear the secret wish she keeps inside…that they never had to move to a new apartment…until it comes out in the middle of the night.
I love how Stead uses simple black and white pencil art to portray the characters and lets splashes of primary colors carry the young girl’s emotions. The overnight uncertainty rendered in shades of black and washed out reds gives way to yellow in the arms of her dad. It is the colors of their new apartment – no longer black and white –that in the end confirm a change of heart.
This is not a book about spoiling a child. It’s a lesson in listening to what a child is asking for.
Spoil Alert:
She does find home – through her Dad’s patient and steadfast love.
In five words:
POETRY FRIDAY!
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
Patricia, your comments on the book are sensitive feelings on emotions and lasting love. Even the colors and black and white backdrops add to the child’s internal feelings. Sometimes we need an extra push to get inside the mind of our children. I am in the middle of this with my adult son who is trying to sort out his feelings in a rational way now. Even though we are in the beginning of year 2, grief is a difficult mountain to slide down in peace.
Thanks for featuring this new book (you and Matt are on the same page with the ‘moving’ theme). The black and white nighttime spread is such a touching moment between father and daughter. Like your comment about the book being about “listening to what a child is asking for.”
Patricia, wonderful observations about the marriage of color and emotion in this story. I love your ending thought about listening to what a child is asking for. <3
Such a sensitive topic that most children of all family income ranges must face. Since my dear Dad was a strong mechanically-minded, yet tender man, I especially appreciate that it’s the Dad who pulls the child through to the other side out of darkness. Lovely illustrations & a mighty fine story. It’s great to know about it from You.
I love this book! Thank you for sharing it here with everyone, Patricia. And thank you also for making me really notice the color!
I’ll have to look for this book. Thanks for the recommnedation.
I’m all in for anything Rebecca Stead writes! I can’t wait to read this — great review!
Patricia, your reviews are gorgeous. I love the little helps in the margins–5-word summaries, “This book is about…but really it’s about…” along with the text of the review. It does sound like a great book. I’ll look forward to reading it.
I adore Rebecca Stead but somehow wasn’t aware of this book. Thanks so much, Patricia!