About the book

A Thousand Wishes is a lyrical and tender fable about Lucy, a tiny seed who begins her journey far beneath the earth, cradled in warmth and cared for by bumblebees who whisper stories of the world above. In the quiet darkness, she dreams of sunlight, fresh air, and the mysterious “hat” that will one day reveal who she truly is.

When the time comes, Lucy stretches toward the sky and discovers a world filled with wonder. She feels the glow of the sun on her face, the tickle of raindrops on her back, and the playful sway of the wind that makes her laugh. With every passing day, she grows more curious about who she is becoming and whether she belongs among those around her.

But Lucy also begins to notice how different she feels—how her place in the meadow does not seem the same as the others. Her journey becomes not only about growing tall and strong, but also about learning what it means to be seen, to be loved, and to recognize her own worth.

With graceful prose by Cathrine L. Wilhelmsen and luminous illustrations by Petter Winther, A Thousand Wishes captures both the wonder and the challenges of becoming yourself. It is a story for children and adults alike—an invitation to look at the overlooked, to find beauty where others might not, and to remember that every life, no matter how small or different, carries its own quiet magic.

Excerpt from the book:

“One day, Lucy hears a new voice. It sounds louder than the voices she is used to. Before she even realizes what’s happening, her best friend is no longer by her side. Where did he go? Then she hears the voices again and looks up. A hand is holding her friend, along with many others who once lived nearby with the bumblebees. Lucy wants to join too! She proudly spreads out her golden crown and smiles as sweetly as she can.

‘Don’t pick that one, little one, it’s just a weed,’ says another voice. And just like that, the voices are gone, the hand is gone—along with her best friend. Weed? Lucy wonders. What does that mean?”

Available in hardcover and eBook, in Norwegian and English edition.

Written by Cathrine L. Wilhelmsen, with illustrations by Petter Winther.

Review quotes:

• I was both deeply charmed and moved by this children's book. A Thousand Wishes and little Lucy can hopefully inspire children and their parents toward greater kindness, openness, and acceptance-and a new, positive way of seeing difference. After all, it is diversity and variation that make life and the world beautiful and exciting.

• I truly appreciate the themes Wilhelmsen brings into her books-and the way she addresses them. The writing is warm, insightful, and full of charm. I hope this book reaches many readers, both young and old.

• Oh! It is heartbreaking. A Thousand Wishes tackles a serious theme: prejudice! Loneliness! Sadness! Exclusion! The feeling of being different, of being "made wrong"! Lucy has to learn that it is okay to be exactly who you are-that even if not everyone understands you, there will always be someone who loves you just the way you are. Whether you are called a weed, struggle with learning, stammer, are overweight, or grow taller than everyone else. As readers, we learn from A Thousand Wishes that you matter, that you are wanted, that you are allowed to be yourself. This is something we must talk to children about, and remind them of, throughout childhood and all the way into adulthood.

• A warm and gentle children's book, perfect for bedtime-or any other time. This is a story that truly does good.