Molly and the Magic Wishbone

by Barbara McClintock

A delightful picture book loosely based upon the Charles Dickens story The Magic Fishbone .

When Molly's fairy godmother tells her that she will find a magic fishbone that will grant her but one wish, all her brothers and sisters want to know what Molly will wish for. There are many things Molly would like, and so many ways in which a wish would come in handy, but she decides to wait until she knows exactly what she wants.

Enchanting, old-fashioned illustrations depict a wondrous nineteenth-century London alive with elegantly clad cats, pigs, goats, birds, and other two- and four-legged creatures in Barbara McClintock's delightful reminder that patience and practicality are rewarded.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Cats, Fiction, Family, Animals, Magic

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Barbara McClintock is the author and illustrator of books for children.

Her books have won 4 New York Times Best Books awards, a New York Times Notable Book citation, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor award, numerous other awards, recommended/best book lists, and starred reviews. Her books have been made into children's videos, a ballet/opera, and a recorded books on tape.

Barbara drew constantly as a child. By the time she was seven, she knew she would be an artist when she grew up. Her older sister recommended she be a childrens' book illustrator, and this proved to be a rare instance when she followed her sister's advice. Barbara also wanted to be a cat when she grew up, and is glad she had art as a back up plan.

The first part of Barbara's growing up was in Clinton, NJ. Her early influences were her photographer father, seamstress/teacher mother, and the cartoon character Top Cat.

Barbara moved to North Dakota when she was 9 with her mother and sister after her parents divorced. She continued to draw through middle and high school, frequently in the margins of her tests and homework.

Barbara attended Jamestown College in North Dakota, where she refined her drawing skills by copying pictures in artbooks she checked out of her college library.

Two weeks after her 20th birthday, Barbara moved to New York City to begin her career on the recommendation of Maurice Sendak, whon she called from North Dakota for advice about how to become a children's book illustrator.

Barbara studied for two months at the Art Student's League in New York City. She continued to copy from art books she checked out of libraries, and sketched paintings and drawings in museums in New York City. Barbara is essentially self-taught as an artist/illustrator.

After illustrating books written by other authors, Barbara began writing as well as producing the artwork for her own books.

She currently lives in rural Connectucut with the illustrator David A. Johnson, their cats Pip and Emma, and David's truly gorgeous rose garden.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the message of this story. Molly gets her magic wishbone that will grant her one wish--at first, her siblings suggest she wish for silly things (she does not). Then, they ask her to use it to fix things that go wrong (i.e., a broken bowl) but she instead uses her own resourcefulness to fix things. She saves her wish for something truly out of her hands. I only gave the book four stars because, for me, the images were a bit odd at times -- the cat heads just seemed too big to come out of the little, fitted dresses, etc. But, others might find this aspect charming. These illustrations also seemed to have a bit more of an English/London style than some of McClintock's other, France-based art.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Barbara McClintock's books, and she’s now a Goodreads member author. I’ve read only some of her books but I enjoyed all I’ve read so far: Adèle & Simon and Adèle & Simon in America are probably my two favorites but I also loved Dahlia, The Fantastic Drawings of Danielle, Mary and the Mouse, The Mouse and Mary (illustrated by), and When Mindy Saved Hanukkah (illustrated by). Now, I really like this book too, and I’m looking forward to reading other already published and to be published books by this author.

This one it took me a bit of time to get used to the illustrations of the dressed cats and dressed other animals, but I ended up enjoying them (especially the ones that take place outside and that show the snow) and the British Dickens theme.

The story is loosely based on Dickens’ story of The Magic Fish-Bone, and here it’s a very enjoyable tale for both children and adults. I think it’s a wonderful message that a “one wish” should be saved for when you truly need it/want something badly and can’t get it for yourself.

I loved Molly and her younger siblings. Usually with stories like these I always yearn for the wish to bring something more than it does, but in this case, Molly’s original wish is nowhere near as good as her eventual wish that she asks for and receives, so I didn’t mind a bit and didn’t feel as though the wish was wasted at all. I appreciated Molly’s resourcefulness in taking care of things instead of wishing for someone else to fix them, and her patience and thoughtfulness, and how it all worked out. I also really loved this particular Fairy Godmother and how she managed to give some extras when she fulfilled the wish.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book we got out of the library many times when our kids were small, and it's just as beautiful as I recall. The story feels like a hybrid of fairy tale and Dickens, Beatrix Potter and fable yet it feels original too, there's nothing derivative. The illustrations are gorgeous. I used to get this at Christmas time for the classroom-- there is no Christmas material but it's wintry and has a touch of magic in the form of a fairy godmother and her very virtuous and resourceful god-daughter. The drawings could not be more beautiful and detailed, and I am going to revisit other McClintock works for my classroom. Think we have her Aesop here somewhere. Highly recommend!

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is a gentler, sweeter version of Charles Dicken's fairy tale (although his fairy tale is still really gentle), a tale retold lovingly by Barbara McClintock, but even more lovingly rendered. Her illustrations of cats and dogs and ravens and lions and other animals in Victorian costume walking the streets of Dickensian London are a joy. Ebenezer Scrooge and Oliver Twist are just around the corner (as are the riverfolk and gentry gentlemen of The Wind in the Willows and Mr. and Mrs. Beaver from Narnia). A perfectly sweet, quiet little bed time story.

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always love Barbara McClintock's old fashioned images, and this story was no exception - seeing all the animals dressed up in like, Victorian era wear was great. A cute story about a kid stepping up into the parent role and she's given a wish by a fairy godmother but can't decide how to use it. My 3.5 year old seemed to enjoy it, but not be obsessed by it. I felt the same, I like it just fine while I'm reading it but it doesn't leave a huge lasting impression, besides the illustrations. But fun for a story set in a different time, about kids being a bit independent, with a twist of magic thrown in.

[Kim Barth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantasy story loosely based on a book by Charles Dickens. Molly finds a magic wishbone, and she and her sisters spend a long time trying to decide what Molly should wish for. They argue over many possibilities, until suddenly Molly finds out that one of her sisters has wandered into the city and gotten lost. She quickly wishes to have her sister home again. This story highlights the importance of family members and of being careful what you wish for.

[Loreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another wonderful book by Barbara McClintock. This one is a retelling of Dicken's "The Magic Fish-Bone". Like all McClintock's work, it is magically and skillfully illustrated with a story that interests me as well as my 3 year old. She never 'dumbs-down' her work though it is intended for 3-6 year olds. Highly recommended.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tale about making wishes based on a Dickens fable. The story certainly has a Victorian feel and the illustrations are old fashioned and charming with the anthropomorphic animals.

I liked that Molly is not willing to waste her special wish on frivolous things or for things that she could make happen through her own ingenuity. We enjoyed reading this book together.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl kitten receives a magical wishbone from her fairy godmother. Throughout the story she ponders what she should wish for. In the end, she realizes what is most important and wishes for that.

Detailed, engaging illustrations.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly finds a wishbone but she only gets one wish. Her siblings have all kinds of ideas about how to use it, but Molly uses her resourcefulness and diligence to solve their everyday problems and saves her wishbone for something truly special. A sweet story with a nice message, the illustrations were incredibly detailed.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid story, I really love McClintock’s detailed illustrations, in muted colors, of animals in period attire.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Barbara McClintock’s illustrations and it was especially fun to see the Dickensian theme

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the sweetness between sisters in this story.

[Anna Wooliver Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable anthropomorphic critters in a saccharine take on Dicken's The Magic Fishbone. Beautifully illustrated.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

the drawings were beautiful, and the story started out great but was quickly annoyed by her siblings. Molly truly could not have anything nice for herself.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one looked promising.
The story was SUB PAR. Weird and a super stretch.
Giving three stars for the illustrations. They were lovely.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love McClintocks illustrations, and I felt that the animals dressed in clothing worked better here than in the Gingerbread Man, because it was consistently animals. Kids felt the build up of tension in the read-aloud.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who hasn't spent time in their youth discussing with friends or siblings what would you wish for if you had Molly's good fortune?! I love the sweet characters, that my little boy kept wondering about how the mother was doing, and Barbara McClintock's excellent writing (once again)!

[Alfajirikali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are delightful. The story is a bit sappy, but sweet.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The proportions of the critters are a little disturbing in their clothes, but I enjoy the Victoriana. Certainly, this story suits it well. There's even a book in the window by Dickens.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story and great illustrations. If I ever find a copy, I'm going to buy it, but it's out of print and really hard to find.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bea has got a thing against animal characters with people hands...

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of my favorite books because molly has one wish and she uses it on her little sister.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beautiful pictures of this cat family set the story solidly during the Victorian era. The story is well-written and heartwarming.

[Suki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated by a 5yo

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet story with charming illustrations and characters. The 1st and 2nd grade students I read this to enjoyed it very much.

[Lee]

Sharing.

[Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was on a list of Thanksgiving books, I disagree. Molly's wishbone cones from a fish by way of her fairy godmother. It was an interesting jumping off point to discuss the wishbone tradition, which many of my students were unaware of. Other than that it is a cute story.