Ish Fish and the Wish2023

This children’s book tells the story of a boy named Ish who is just turning nine. The night before his birthday, he is startled awake when his dad comes to check on him. After his dad leaves, Ish sneaks out to look in the closet and sees the box that holds his birthday present, a fishing pole. When he goes back to sleep, he dreams about fishing and using wiggly worms as bait. He wishes himself in place of the fish, and at the same time, the fish wishes he was fishing like the boy. The worm, meanwhile, cries because he doesn’t want to be eaten. The water feels sorry the worm and rises up; soon Ish is on the hook in the water, the fish is on the riverbank, and the worm has slipped free. Ish cries for help—and then wakes up, realizing it was only a horrible dream. When he goes downstairs, his parents are waiting with a birthday cake and his present. But he isn’t excited about fishing anymore. He tells his dad why, and they have an important conversation about Jesus. Later Ish goes fishing with his friends Hix and Bubba, and he tells them what he learned. Young readers will find the narrative and characters interesting and relatable, and they’ll appreciate the valuable message the book has to offer.