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The Wishing of Biddy Malone
Despite her obvious lack of natural talent, Biddy Malone ignores her critics as she dances and sings all around her small village, but when she encounters a fairy in the wood who offers to grant her wishes, Biddy Malone is excited at the prospect of finally making her dreams come true. Reprint.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2004
99 people want to read
About the author
Joy Cowley
1,500 books103 followersCassia Joy Cowley is a New Zealand author best known for her children's fiction, including the popular series of books Mrs. Wishy-Washy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 14, 2013
I wasn’t really in the mood for folk or fairy tales, but this is the last book I must return tomorrow to the library, so I read it.
I loved the illustrations, which are glorious. I loved the message that getting something without working for it isn’t satisfying, and loved how Biddy found the magic within herself.
However, I absolutely hated the end. I have little doubt that the story follows what’s considered a sensible pattern, but I was left feeling very morose. What is probably meant to be a happy ending, filled me with sadness. That’s not always a bad thing, but I guess I’m not familiar with this type of tale because I was not expecting what happened, and I wasn’t happy about it. I know that’s my fault for being clueless about this type of tale. I’m thinking I’d have had to have more knowledge and been in a different mood to fully appreciate this story’s ending.
Given how lovely the pictures are and how overall satisfying the tale is, I have to give this at least 3 ½ stars. It’s a beautifully done book.
I loved the illustrations, which are glorious. I loved the message that getting something without working for it isn’t satisfying, and loved how Biddy found the magic within herself.
However, I absolutely hated the end. I have little doubt that the story follows what’s considered a sensible pattern, but I was left feeling very morose. What is probably meant to be a happy ending, filled me with sadness. That’s not always a bad thing, but I guess I’m not familiar with this type of tale because I was not expecting what happened, and I wasn’t happy about it. I know that’s my fault for being clueless about this type of tale. I’m thinking I’d have had to have more knowledge and been in a different mood to fully appreciate this story’s ending.
Given how lovely the pictures are and how overall satisfying the tale is, I have to give this at least 3 ½ stars. It’s a beautifully done book.
July 4, 2019
Biddy Malone loved to dance and sing, although her talents in that direction were somewhat limited. She also had a heart full of love, although her temper was rather fierce. When her brothers' teasing sends her storming out of the house one day, and down to the riverside, she discovers a fairy village and finds herself attending a magical dance, where she meets a handsome "loveling." Asked by this handsome acorn-skinned stranger to name her three wishes, she mentions the ability to "sing as sweetly as a thrush, and to "dance as lightly as deer," as well as the ability to control her temper. Although only gone for half an hour by her own reckoning, Biddy discovers that she has been missing for two months when she rejoins her family. She also finds that although her wishes have not been granted outright, her time with the fairies has provided her with the inspiration to work on her goals, eventually going on to become one of the most talented singers and dancers in the country, as well as a kindhearted woman much sought after by multiple suitors. Will Biddy, having worked so hard to make her dreams a reality, find true happiness at last...?
I picked this lovely picture-book from New Zealand children's author Joy Cowley up on pure impulse this past weekend at the library, attracted by its beautiful cover artwork. I'd never heard of it before, but was struck by the subject matter and the illustrations, and decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did! The story was engaging, with a believably imperfect heroine whose good qualities (for all her flaws) will win over the reader. I appreciated the fact that Biddy must work toward making her wishes come true, rather than having them granted by an outside power. As the loveling says, "something gained for nothing has no value." I also appreciated the illustrations, done by Christopher Denise in acrylic and charcoal. The artist's palette is gorgeous - I particularly liked his use of blues and yellows - and his human characters expressive. All in all, this was a sweet little tale, one with a very satisfactory (and romantic) ending. Recommended to young readers who enjoy fairy-tales, and stories of The Little People.
I picked this lovely picture-book from New Zealand children's author Joy Cowley up on pure impulse this past weekend at the library, attracted by its beautiful cover artwork. I'd never heard of it before, but was struck by the subject matter and the illustrations, and decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did! The story was engaging, with a believably imperfect heroine whose good qualities (for all her flaws) will win over the reader. I appreciated the fact that Biddy must work toward making her wishes come true, rather than having them granted by an outside power. As the loveling says, "something gained for nothing has no value." I also appreciated the illustrations, done by Christopher Denise in acrylic and charcoal. The artist's palette is gorgeous - I particularly liked his use of blues and yellows - and his human characters expressive. All in all, this was a sweet little tale, one with a very satisfactory (and romantic) ending. Recommended to young readers who enjoy fairy-tales, and stories of The Little People.
January 4, 2015
3.5 stars, bumped up for the "twist" on three wishes, even though the end was kinda ick to me.
March 4, 2012
This is a wonderful tale of magic, but what I liked the most is the magic that came from within Biddy Malone. She worked hard and looked inside her own heart to make the changes she so dearly desired. The magical world of the faerie people is so enchanting and we loved the illustrations. The ending is bittersweet, especially from my perspective as a parent, but we really enjoyed this story.
November 15, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. It makes me think of how every teenage girl feels at least once in her life. Even though this is a children's book I feel like you could get away with giving it to a teenage girl and asking her to read it, I feel a lot of girls can really relate no matter what age they are. We all have a little but of Biddy in all of us, a hopeless romantic and will not settle for anything or anyone who is not the best. This book is about following your true hearts feelings and turning something that others might think is fiction into reality. This book is about fighting for what you really believe in and not giving up. It also has a really positive lesson that children can walk away with :)
Good read!
Good read!
Read
January 28, 2011This is book is written with such beautiful language. It would be wonderful for a lesson about simile, metaphor, and figurative language. The story is similar to several folk tales and fairy tales, so a joint lesson could be created as well. The main character learns an important lesson about working hard to achieve what you really want. The beautiful illustrations truly bring Biddy Malone and the "little people" to life.
June 2, 2024
I love the combination of both the magic of the Irish fairies and the moral lesson that Biddy learned in acquiring the talents that she wished for. I was pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed the book.
June 12, 2018
Oh! Clever story, with the wishes turned round about. I do have a soft spot for a girl with a fiery temper.
June 27, 2018
Watch out when you accept wishes from the faeries. Biddy Malone learns that wishes don't mean much if you don't work for them.
June 10, 2023
Oh yes! Best kind of folk tales - fairies and hard work and a sour heart that turns good (not with magic, but with intentional effort) and true love. And of course, music!
April 2, 2013
This was an exciting read with an awkward easy to anger young girl who stumbled upon a magical fairy party with a handsome male fairy who asks her what her three wishes are. Wanting to improve her flawed and gangly ways she asks for the talents of: dance, song, and a tender heart. When the magic doesn’t take effect the way she hopes Biddy Malone is forced to work hard and practice, practice, practice to obtain these talents for on her own.
The illustrations are beautiful and I really liked the message of working hard to better oneself. The ending I felt was a bit strange, rushed and incomplete, but-all-in-all a fun read.
The illustrations are beautiful and I really liked the message of working hard to better oneself. The ending I felt was a bit strange, rushed and incomplete, but-all-in-all a fun read.
March 18, 2026
I check this out from the library and read it every year when it's put out with the St. Patrick's Day books. (Though it's not a book about St. Patrick or even leprechauns or pots of gold - it's a faerie story set in Ireland that could be read any time of year).
"I've got a temper like a steaming kettle and it does nobody any good. I am wishing for a loving heart."
"Something gained for nothing has no value."
"I've got a temper like a steaming kettle and it does nobody any good. I am wishing for a loving heart."
"Something gained for nothing has no value."
March 28, 2016
Biddy Malone has attitude! I love it! She has "angry legs" and loves to do things but is terrible at those things. Not your typical intro to a heroine. Love Love Love.
The artwork had me rom page 1 cause Biddy looked so lively. But the fairy party clinched it with all those diverse looking fairy faces! Be still my beating heart! (Hee hee)
And the way she got her wishes was truly *magical!*
The ending was satisfying enough for any romantic.
A story after my own heart for sure.
The artwork had me rom page 1 cause Biddy looked so lively. But the fairy party clinched it with all those diverse looking fairy faces! Be still my beating heart! (Hee hee)
And the way she got her wishes was truly *magical!*
The ending was satisfying enough for any romantic.
A story after my own heart for sure.
August 8, 2008
Children's book. I got this from the library to read to my daughters and now I want to buy it. It's a lovely story! I think I may have enjoyed it more than the girls, but then again, Bea wanted DayDay to read it to her again the other day. It's a great Irish tale (I'm always on the lookout for British books for kids).
November 14, 2016
The Wishing of Biddy Malone
Cowley, Joy
the story of a young girl who wished for many talents and found that dispite that she asked for her wishes she had to work for them. and dispite all she accomplished she did not get the thing she wanted most
Cowley, Joy
the story of a young girl who wished for many talents and found that dispite that she asked for her wishes she had to work for them. and dispite all she accomplished she did not get the thing she wanted most
February 25, 2021
This is a perennial St. Patrick's Day favorite. It MUST be read with an Irish accent.
April 4, 2009
those wishes are yours, make them come true yourself
June 15, 2010
I loved the story and how it was written! The pictures were okay, not the best but good.
July 10, 2013
Great story! I LOVE that Biddy Malone gets her three wishes, because she works hard to develop her talents! Love the magical fairy story too. :)
November 16, 2010
Great story with a message... nice art.
February 3, 2016
One of the absolute favorite's on my children's fiction list. Love it! Also a great read aloud story.
November 28, 2012
Very positive message that hard work is the best and only way for wishes to really come true. Enjoyed it.
August 13, 2015
3.5 stars.
February 20, 2014
Lilting prose and lovely acrylic and charcoal illustrations.
June 18, 2014
My children loved this book. Especially my oldest book. He asked if I would make him a petal cape like the Faery loveling has.
November 28, 2014
Loove the story and beautiful illustrations!
May 16, 2015
A story about the little people with a moral to the story. Beautiful illustrations. Not your average picture book. Great book for seven to 13 year olds.
July 14, 2015
Super great book.
August 24, 2015
Beautiful message and illustrations. Though the ending was a little disappointing.
April 10, 2018
Good literary tools, but the story is kind of weird.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews