Nellie the hungry cat is lonely and hopes someday for a warm place to live. Ernst the tender crocodile hopes that his sidewalk chalk drawing of a lion will come to life. Lucky for them both, Nellie meets a crafty crow who tries to play a trick on her by giving her a ball and telling her that it is a wish-giving star fallen from the sky. Nellie wishes so hard it sets off a chain of events that might make both their wishes come true! Elisa Kleven’s “The Wishing Ball” is a heart-warming tale about imagination and never giving up. Her lovely and detailed water-color, pastel, and collage drawings provide her characters with a colorful world filled with fishing bull dogs and guitar-playing leopards. Children will hold their breath and keep their fingers crossed for Nellie as she gets closer and closer to realizing her wishes. Parents will appreciate the lesson that though magic is hard to come by, sometimes friendship is all it requires to work! Recommended for ages 3-6. ( )