The Trouble with Wishes

by Diane Stanley

A sculptor named Pyg carves a statue of a goddess so beautiful, so perfect, that he falls head over heels in love with her. He buys her gifts, tells her stories, and wishes with all his heart she were a real, live woman. The trouble with wishes is . . . sometimes they come true! Diane Stanley's lively prose and vivid illustrations bring this funny and warm tale of misguided love to life as Pyg learns what a true companion is really made of.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Mythology, Juvenile

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Diane Stanley is an American children's author and illustrator, a former medical illustrator, and a former art director for the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons. Born in 1943 in Abilene, Texas, she was educated at Trinity University (in San Antonio, TX) and at Johns Hopkins University. She is perhaps best known for her many picture-book biographies, some of which were co-authored by her husband, Peter Vennema. (source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Set · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is based on Pygmalion and the statue Galatea that Aphrodite brings to life. I'm conflicted about the drawing style because I really like the classical drawings but I was disenchanted with the modern aspect of some of the pictures. The Greeks used to have bath houses just like the Romans and it was a shock to the system when I flipped that page over and saw Galatea at a modern salon wearing heels instead of beautiful Greek strap sandals. The moral of the story is for people to cease reality before it escapes through their fingers instead of waiting for the fantasy they've created. And also the reality of what you want is not always as you've pictured it.

[Cassandra Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that is was a cute book. It teaches kids that sometimes the things that we think we want we don't actually want once we get them. The animation was fun and the style was very Greek which went very well with the theme of the book and the setting. It did leave me interested to see what happens with the Goddess and the Prince. Although, I was very happy to see that Pyg does go back and spend time with Jane. Two things that confused me was the relationship between Pyg and Jane and why they were playing scrabble at the end.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was unusual. Diane Stanley’s work is always top notch. Trouble With Wishes shows a playful love of the subject, Pygmalion. She has retold and reordered the story to become a children’s fairy-tale set in ancient Greece but with modern trappings. (Let’s just say, she doesn’t worry about anacronisms in story or language.) The text is well told and cheeky. I’m just not sure this book is for me. A bit more like a picture story book as were many books from the early 2000s, it will, I think, still capture the imagnation of modern kids and hopefully will direct them toward the orginal (eventually!)

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite fun to read and watch the expressions on the characters in the pictures. A young boy carves- he has decided to carve the most beautiful statue he has ever created. When he is done, it is a statue of a beautiful woman. The girl that has been his apprentice thinks the statue is without any warmth and would not be a good partner if she did come to life. Well- the boy still wishes for it to happen and when she does, he soon finds out how bad his wish is and returns home.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the art, but it was difficult to tell if the main characters were supposed to be children, teenagers, or young adults. I also did not like the anachronistic elements, such as electric blow dyers, French perfume bottles, and Scrabble in ancient Greece. If these items had been period appropriate they could have been educational and made the story flow better, instead of being confusing and distracting.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a retelling of the Pygmalion myth where the sculptor falls in love with his own work. In this particular retelling, Pyg has an apprentice sculptor who is a woman (that alone is unusual for the time of the tale.) Second, after Pyg gets to know his sculpture as a human he realizes that beauty on the outside does NOT necessarily indicate beauty on the inside.

[Makenna Teague]

Set in ancient Greece, the story follows a young sculptor named Pyg and his quest to win the heart of a stone goddess. Observing the action is a real flesh-and-blood girl named Jane, whose own desires are far more attainable than Pyg’s.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great retelling of Pygmalion, giving Pygmalion his just deserts, but the choice to make the story so anachronistic didn't work for me. I would have liked if it was all modern or all ancient, rather than this weird half and half mix of togas and hair dryers.

[Irina Ostapa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had an unexpected twist when the did was made. This would be a perfect book to have in a classroom and a fun read aloud.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute take on Pygmalion.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this fresh and healthier take on the tale of Pygmalion!

[Alexandra Duca]

Title: The Trouble with Wishes
Author: Diane Stanley
Genre: Myth
Theme(s): Be Careful What You Wish For, True Companionship
Opening line/sentence: “Jane wished she could be just like pyg.”
Brief Book Summary: The Trouble with Wishes is the story of Pyg, who creates a beautiful sculpture of a goddess he adores so much that he wishes she would come to life. His wish comes true and the goddess ends up being very needy and uninterested in Pyg. As the love of his life leaves him behind, he realizes the true friendship he has in Jane and returns for her.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Kirkus Reviews. In this version of the Greek myth Pygmalion, Stanley interprets "notions of perfect beauty and misguided love." Pyg is an accomplished stone sculptor in ancient Greece; Jane is his friend and apprentice. One day Pyg tackles a new marble block, working for weeks on a statue of a beautiful, perfect goddess, which Jane finds "pretty amazing" and "amazingly pretty." However, when the statue is finished, Pyg becomes so enamored with it that he stops working and does nothing but admire it all day. He offers the statue gifts, sings to it and tells it stories. Pyg wishes his beautiful statue could be a real woman, and one day his wish comes true. But Pyg soon discovers one should be careful of one's wishes because his real goddess proves to be a real handful. Incorporating decorative elements of Greek art, Stanley's rich illustrations place her characters in an ancient Greek tableau, but include humorous modern touches that should tickle readers. A classy retelling of a classic myth highlighting the meaning of real companionship. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: School Library Journal. Gr 2-4
This light reinvention of the myth of Pygmalion gives the ancient Greek sculptor access to French perfumes, a modern-day spa, and an apprentice named Jane. Pyg is obsessed with his masterpiece, a sculpture of a goddess so beautiful that he wishes she were real. Jane finds her hard, flawless beauty a little off-putting, somehow, but he sees only perfection. Then he gets his wish and his work of art comes to life, but she turns out to be vain, humorless, demanding, and disloyal. As the end of his unhappy day with the "perfect" girl comes to a close, Pyg goes home to find Jane waiting for him with a blazing fire and a game of Scrabble. The pleasing, painterly cartoon illustrations combine ancient and modern elements. This fairy-tale/nursery-rhyme spoof, one of several by Stanley, has its own personality, tone, and palette, all of which work together toward a happy ending for everybody.
—Catherine ThreadgillCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I enjoyed how both reviews discussed the fact that Stanley put her own touches on the retelling of this story. It’s clear that they appreciate her work and think that her modern humor will be enjoyable for children who read it. Kirkus Reviews stated that this retelling highlights the meaning of real companionship, which is a core theme in this story. It is important for the main idea and moral of the story to be recognized.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Stanley incorporates theme into this book and reveals it by the end. The theme of true companionship ultimately prevails at the end when Pyg realizes Jane was always there for him and had his back. Characterization of Jane portrays how she was already aware of the idea of true friendship. She supported Pyg through his actions and still was there for him when he realized his mistake.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This novel can be used to apply to a lesson on Greek Mythology. Teachers can teach children about the original myths and expose them to retellings such as this one. In addition to that, this book can be used to teach children the importance of true friendship. Especially when they’re young, it is a good idea to have children understand that a reliable companion can go a long way.

[Dailey Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good morals underneath, but my daughter (4) was still really drawn to the blond goddess, not fully understanding the point of the book. I think it could have been finessed a little more. Wish that these kinds of tales were more about showing up the male character's shallowness, rather than putting the female character (goddess) in a bad light as compared to the faithful, nice female character who waits for her man to return to her after his dalliance with a beauty elsewhere, you know? I am not a radical, as this sounds. I just feel overwhelmed by the messages my son and daughter are getting about who & how they are allowed/expected to be!

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a little odd - it seems to blend ancient Greece with some modern conveniences (hair salons, pedicures, etc.).

A young man named Pyg is a talented sculpturer and his best friend Jane wants to be one as well, so she becomes his apprentice. He carves a fantastic and beautiful statue of a goddess and falls in love with his creations. Magically she become real, but upon seeing how selfish and cold she is in flesh and blood, Pyg returns to his shop and Jane for happily ever after.

Really lovely and engaging illustrations.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was quite enjoying this little story and it's art, but was quite surprised halfway in when Galatea (who is never named) wanted to fix her hair and is taken to a beauty shop with modern hair dryers and nail polish. Uhhh....what. And in the end (spoilers!) Jane and Pyg play Scrabble. All in all, it was cute, but the sudden inclusion of modern objects is a bit strange. And neither Pyg nor Jane seemed very active or interesting characters. I'd give the writing a 2 or 3, but the art a 5.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best for kids ages 6 and up
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Narrative Skills

From cover:
A sculptor names Pyg carves a statue of a goddess so beautiful, so perfect, that he falls head over heels in love with her. He buys her gifts, tells her stories, and wishes with all his heart she were a real, live woman. The trouble with wishes is ... sometimes they come true!

Beautiful illustrations accompanies this kids version of Pygmalion.

[Gail Barge]

This is a strange book that retells the story of Pygmalion in a more child friendly way. It could be good for students studying Greek mythology in upper elementary grades. However, the story would be fun for a simple read aloud as well. It may be interesting to see what students predict will happen in the story based on the title and the first few pages of the story.

[Liaken · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun take on the Pygmalion story.

[Kathee · Rating 1 out of 5]

The kids will like this take on the story, Pygmalion, as it has some modern twists that are incongruous in the setting. The prose seems a little bit stilted, but should be a decent read-aloud.

[Anajoy-rusticgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute retelling of Pygmalion

[CanadianReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flat and disappointing retelling of the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Not recommended.

[Charli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little heavy handed in the "lesson" department, but but still a cute story with gorgeous illustrations.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing story, set in ancient Greece, but with a few modern anachronisms thrown in for humor.

[Cana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy says: Pygmalion with a twist, written for kids, with an equally strong female sidekick. Nice!

[Mindi's Picture Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

SRC level N Lexile level 690 mythology