Wish Sisters series by Allison Rushby illustrated by Karen Blair

"It all started when our Granny Aggie found an imp in an old bottle and wished for us to have unlimited wishes. You'd think having unlimited wishes would be fun. And it is!" BUT it's also a whole lot of trouble. That imp is a trickster and the wish from Granny has been twisted. Only little sister Birdie can wish. It is up to big sister Flick to anticipate the disasters or try to prevent the disasters or if worse comes to worse mop up after the inevitable disasters mostly inadvertently created by little Birdie.

Book One The Party Wish - Flick has just found out her little sister has a special gift. Birdie has wished for a super-fabulous unicorn party and it has magically appeared in their backyard! There’s a rainbow slide made out of sour straps, a ball pit full of marshmallows and a real-life unicorn that poops cupcakes! How can Flick stop the nosy next-door neighbour finding out about Birdie’s magic when the birthday cake is floating like a cloud?

The Wish Sisters is a bouncy carefree start to what feels like a fun series. The unpredictability of baby Birdie’s future wish making is an animated setup for future sibling-based adventures that focuses on family in a convivial way. It has high early primary schooler appeal and is structured and illustrated in way that encourages newly independent readers to tuck in head first. Kids' Book Review

Having large print, plenty of dialogue and just a few paragraphs per page, makes it suitable for beginner readers who are building their reading confidence.  Reading Time

Book Two The Big Wish - It’s a big day. Flick is nervous about leading book club for the very first time. It doesn’t help that her little sister is super cranky and won’t stop wishing. Birdie is filling the pram with her favourite snacks and getting puppies appear out of thin air. How can Flick do a good job at book club when Birdie makes a BIG wish in the library?

Book Three The Running Wish - Flick’s got more than a running race to worry about when her little sister Birdie’s in a wishing mood. How can she keep everything under control and avoid their secret getting out? It’s school sports day and Flick is ready to race! So is Dad. He’s been training for the parents versus teachers event. There will even be a news crew filming the day. But excitement often leads to baby Birdie making wishes and soon Flick’s got more than a running race to worry about. How can she make sure her team wins fair and square when Birdie starts meddling with the most important event of the day?

These junior fiction to middle grade books are fun for all readers whether you have siblings or not, and regardless of age, because the language is accessible. It doesn’t talk down to readers and it’s not condescending either – it gets a great balance of what kids know and words they can learn or a chance to build their reading skills ... The Book Muse

Book Four The Pet Wish - How is Flick going to hide a rainbow cat and a dancing dog from everyone?At the Pet Play Date, Flick and her little sister, Birdie, are helping local seniors group The Busybodies raise money for animals in need. There are some special pets waiting to find their fur-ever homes. But things turn wild when Birdie wishes to make the animals even more special in the hope that they will be adopted.How is Flick going to keep a rainbow cat and a dancing dog a secret when a pesky photographer is snapping lots of pics?

This series is lots of fun and I like that each book has its own outcome and the perils of trying to keep the adults from finding out about the wishes, because Flick knows things wouldn’t end well. I love that she’s so thoughtful and protective, because it shows she is a great big sister and wonderful person – and her observance shows that she will always be the one to see when there is a problem. The Book Muse

Book Five The Christmas Wish - It’s Christmastime, but Flick and Birdie are missing their Granny Aggie. To cheer them up, Mum and Dad invite the neighbours over to decorate gingerbread houses. All is going well until Mrs Mortlake brings up Christmas wishes, giving baby Birdie all the wrong ideas. How can Flick spread the joy of Christmas when a gingerbread person is biting the guests?

In her interview with Paperbark words and Joy Lawn Allison Rushby said she created this series after reading so many questions on the Facebook group she manages - Your Kids Next Read - there’s not a week that goes by that I don’t see a member say their child has read every single junior fiction book in the library and is gasping for more. Kids really can burn through this books at an amazing rate and I began to think I should consider writing something in this space myself.

This will be a popular series for young girls, particularly, who want a bit of escapism without too much tension, especially those with younger sisters who can be troublesome at times.  It is very much a book about being careful what you wish for.  The Bottom Shelf

I am also always on the hunt for terrific junior series. These little books are sweet but not quite at that beginner level - they are not really first chapter books. I would say they will appeal to readers aged 7+. 

Other books about imps or fairies and magic and wishes that I enjoyed are these: