ROSEANNE THONG, an author currently living in Hong Kong, has followed up her first three successful books for young readers with a delightful tale with local references but universal appeal. She uses accessible vocabulary and deceptively simple prose to follow the fortunes of Ming as he develops from a hopeful young innocent to a citizen of the world. The main conduit for the story is the wishing tree situated in Min's home village. When he is young, Ming makes his annual visit with his grandma who gives life and credence to the tree's alleged powers.

When Ming's belief system and faith in the tree are broken by a shock initiation into human mortality, he is faced at nine years old with the limitations of reality rather than the innocent hope and naivety of youth. He expresses his anger at betrayal in time-honoured fashion; by ignoring the supposed perpetrator.

It is only later in life when Ming returns unwillingly to the village that the real significance of the tree becomes apparent and Ming becomes aware of the universal truth that it is the individual that creates happiness and makes wishes come true, not an external force, however powerful.

Thong's story is illustrated in vivid colour by Connie McLennan to complete a pleasingly touching book that educates as well as appeals.

The back of the book gives the context of the story, based as it is on a real tree in an actual village in Hong Kong and provides a template should readers wish to create the traditional `five treasure piles' of their own and make a wish of their own.

Paul McGuire
November 5, 2004

Paul McGuire is a freelance author, writer and reviewer. He is also Deputy Principal of Sha Tin Junior School.