The Wishing Well

Contributors

By Gideon Sterer

Illustrated by Emily Hughes

Formats and Prices

On Sale
Sep 1, 2026
Page Count
48 pages
Publisher
Union Square Kids
ISBN-13
9781454963615
Age Range
4–8

Price

$19.99

Price

$25.99 CAD

Format

Hardcover

Format:

Hardcover $19.99 $25.99 CAD

In this emotionally rich story from New York Times bestselling author Gideon Sterer and award-winning illustrator Emily Hughes, a monster trapped at the bottom of a wishing well plots his escape, reminding us that true wealth is measured not in coins but in love, freedom, and the beauty of nature.

Plip! Plop! Plip! The coins fall down into the well, and at the bottom is the monster who must record all the wishes. The people wish for puppies, or ponies, but most of all, they wish to be rich. They think that will make them happy. But the monster, surrounded by money, knows that the treasures of their lives above make them rich already. The hugs, the kisses, the books, the stars, and the seasons are all that he wishes for. 

His lonely plight—and daring escape—will have readers reconsidering their wildest wishes. 

Perfect for fans of John Klassen’s modern fables, The Wishing Well celebrates the beauty and wonder of all we take for granted. 


Gideon Sterer

About the Author

Gideon Sterer is the New York Times bestselling author of many picture books, including We Are Already Haunting Here, illustrated by Charlie Mylie, and the Indie bestseller If You Make a Call on a Bananaphone, illustrated by Emily Hughes. Growing up in upstate New York, Gideon stared down many wells, threw in many coins, and wondered always just what was down there. He currently lives in Brooklyn.

Visit Gideon at gideonsterer.com and on social media @gideonsterer.



Emily Hughes is an internationally recognized children’s illustrator and author from Hilo, Hawaii, whose books include Wild and the Indie bestseller If You Make a Call on a Bananaphone, written by Gideon Sterer. Emily currently lives and draws in East London.

Visit Emily on Instagram @plaidemily.

Learn more about this author