Nanabosho Grants a Wish

Author: Joe McLellan, Matrine McLellan

Illustrator: Lloyd Swampy

Publisher: Pemmican Publications (2005)

Nanabosho Grants a Wish is the most recent title in the Nanabosho series by Winnipeg children's authors, Joseph and Matrine McLellan. The authors believe in the power of the oral tradition and storytelling. They take traditional stories about the Ojibwe trickster and teacher, Nanabosho, and weave a contemporary story that will appeal to all children.

This story is set as a story within a story. Nonie is having a birthday party and all her friends and relatives are present. Nonie's brother sees snow falling and tells the group that he wishes for lots of snow. Mishomis, their grandfather, tells everyone that they should be careful when they wish for things. This is the beginning of the story about Nanabosho and how he granted four wishes. Nanabosho grew tried of people always asking for his assistance. He warns the people to be reasonable when they ask for assistance. Two men and two women come to Nanabosho for help. They tell him their requests and he says he will honour their requests. One man however wishes for something unreasonable. Nanabosho teaches him a lesson by granting the wish. The story concludes when Nonie and her brother compare wishes.