THE EYELASH WISH

On his first day of school, Denny makes friends in an unexpected way in this picture book from Cooke.

White-skinned, blond-haired Denny is excited for the first day of school, but he can’t shake his nerves because he doesn’t know anyone. His school seems warm and welcoming with its decorated lockers and play areas, but when he sits down in his new classroom, he still feels apprehensive. Denny’s teacher, Ms. Beasley, walks up to him and asks if she can take a loose eyelash resting on his cheek. “Denny, if you close your eyes and think of a wish really fast, you can make it come true with a big blow on your eyelash.” Ms. Beasley encourages the class to guess what Denny’s wish is, a task that they enthusiastically take up. His seatmate Jenny guesses that he wished for a puppy, Ashley thinks it’s a guitar, and Darin is sure he wished for baseball gear. Each conversation prompts a few moments of camaraderie that makes Denny feel increasingly at home in his new classroom. His wish, which he reveals at the end, really does come true. Cooke’s “reimagined” release of her 2018 picture book is a thoughtful tale of friendship. While it seems odd for Ms. Beasley, an adult, to request an eyelash from a child she barely knows, the process through which Denny makes new friends is natural and creative. Rabito’s gentle, rosy-cheeked illustrations feature children of a variety of skin tones and physical abilities in Denny’s class.

A touching if slightly puzzling picture book about making new friends.