PAPERBACK RELEASE
The Wishing Tree by Mary Redman, illustrated by Christina Rodriguez
(All ages picture book, previously in hardcover; Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Recipient)
A young girl connects with her deployed dad by writing her hopes and prayers on yellow ribbons and tying them to her wishing tree.
(St. Paul, MN)— Award‐winning independent publisher Elva Resa Publishing is pleased to announce the February 14 paperback release of The Wishing Tree, a popular picture book for all ages with an encouraging message that a child’s hopes and prayers make a difference when a loved one is away.
Amanda understands her dad is making the world a better place, but that doesn’t make his year-long military deployment any easier. She decides to create a wishing tree, writing her hopes and prayers on yellow ribbons and tying them to the branches. As Amanda wishes for her dad to enjoy good meals, make new friends, and return safely, her little tree blossoms with yellow ribbons of hope.
Written by Mary Redman, a military wife and mom, The Wishing Tree beautifully illustrates the range of feelings a child experiences when a parent is deployed, the power of hope and prayer, and the joy of a parent returning home.
“When a parent deploys, children can feel helpless, worried, and proud all at the same time,” says Redman. “The Wishing Tree gives kids a sense of empowerment during their loved one’s deployment.”
Illustrator Christina Rodriguez draws on her experience as a military daughter and an award-winning illustrative storyteller to create warm, affecting images.
Inspired by Amanda’s story, young readers can visit WishingTreeBook.com to learn more about the tradition of wishing trees and ideas for creating wishing trees in a variety of formats. While popular during a military deployment, wishing trees can also be used to stay connected to parents traveling for work, and grandparents or special friends who live far away.
Companion ribbon packs with 31 pre-cut yellow ribbons are available at MilitaryFamilyBooks.com for those who want to write on yellow ribbons to create a tree like Amanda’s.
About the Author
Mary Redman experienced many joys and challenges as a military wife and mother. She managed pack-outs, gave birth, visited emergency rooms, heralded holidays, bid farewell to grandparents, and attended numerous school events while her husband was deployed. Military life gave Mary many unexpected opportunities, from attending the running of the bulls in Spain to teaching English in Japan. She has three grown sons and lives with her husband in Southern California.
About the Illustrator
Christina Rodriguez is an award-winning illustrator of more than a dozen children’s books, including My Dad’s Deployment: A Deployment and Reunion Activity Book for Young Children and Coloring My Military Life—Book 1. She grew up in an Air Force family before graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design. When not in her studio, Christina can usually be found along the Rhode Island coastline, digging for clams, sketching, or reading a good book.
Mom’s Choice Awards®
First published in hardcover in 2008, The Wishing Tree is a Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Recipient. The Mom’s Choice Awards® evaluates products and services created for children, families, and educators. The program is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products, and services.
The Wishing Tree paperback edition releases February 14, 2018, and is available from MilitaryFamilyBooks.com, Amazon.com, and major booksellers. Limited quantities of the hardcover edition are available while supplies last.
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ELVA RESA PUBLISHING LLC is an independent publisher based in St. Paul, Minnesota, whose mission is to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Its primary imprint specializes in books for and about military families. For more information, visit ElvaResa.com and MilitaryFamilyBooks.com.
MEDIA: Please contact Elva Resa PR at 651-357-8770 or pr@elvaresa.com.
Additional resources: WishingTreeBook.com
Title: The Wishing Tree
Author: Mary Redman
Illustrator: Christina Rodriguez
Publisher: Elva Resa Publishing
Publication Date: February 14, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-934617-41-0
Format: 8″ x 10″ Paperback, 32 pages
Audience: All ages
Retail Price: $9.95
Category: Picture book
More information and cover images:
ElvaResa.com/book/wishing-tree
Available: MilitaryFamilyBooks.com, Amazon.com, major wholesalers and retailers
Case discounts: MilitaryFamilyBooks.com