I enjoyed reading this book based on a true story about how Franz Kafka wrote postcards to a little girl who lost her favorite doll. Each postcard gives a story about a place the doll visited and what she did while she was visiting. This was very creative and kind of Franz. It reminded me of the Flat Stanley book. It would be a great story to teach about creative writing. My favorite thing about the book was the beautiful, colorful illustrations.

Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Wish You Were Here is a beautifully illustrated and heartwarming children's book that stands out with its emotional depth and unique narrative. Inspired by a story about Franz Kafka, the book reimagines a touching tale of kindness, loss, and imagination. It centers on a young girl who loses her beloved doll, and a man who crafts a magical journey for the doll through postcards, bringing comfort to the child.

The watercolor illustrations are soft and lush, adding layers to the story that go beyond typical children's books. The detailed artwork complements the narrative, creating a soothing and engaging experience for readers of all ages. This book is perfect for bedtime, offering a calm, cozy vibe, while also introducing children to concepts like loss and the kindness of strangers.

Though the ending is somewhat abrupt, leaving readers with questions about Franz's fate, it adds a poignant touch that invites reflection and discussion. Overall, Wish You Were Here is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a meaningful, visually stunning story to share with young readers.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Recommended for: Parents looking for a longer storytime book, those interested in a unique children's book with emotional depth, and anyone seeking a beautiful gift for a child.

Gorgeously illustrated with soft, lush, watercolor pictures, this is a lovely tale of a girl with a lost doll, and a man who cares enough to create a beautiful world and memories for said doll, and in turn, for the little girl as well.

Based on a famous story about Franz Kafka, the author does an amazing job of reimagining these scenarios and leaves the reader with all the warm fuzzies. Well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bernadette Watts, and NorthSouth Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Wish You Were Here" is definitely a winner, balancing a sweet story with heartfelt emotions. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, adding tons of visual storytelling about Franz Kafka and a little girl searching for her lost doll. It's not your run-of-the-mill children's book; this one's got layers. It's all about kindness and making unexpected friends. This would be a perfect gift for those with younger kids who want a longer storytime book. I highly recommend!

A young man makes a difference in a little girl's life using his postcards and a present.
The illustrations have incredibly fine detailing yet are simple, and brilliantly colorful.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected proofreader's advance copy on Adobe Digital Editions from NorthSouth Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

This was a delightful story with great details and art. I really enjoyed that it was easy to follow and very hopeful.

4.5*

I'd give this 4.5 stars because I literally gasped at the ending, it's kinda sad for a children's book. Wish You Were Here is an endearing and beautifully illustrated children's book about Franz Kafka and a little girl with a missing doll. The illustrations are beautiful, and detailed, and add so much texture to the story. The story itself is also very detailed, and adds more to the story than your typical children's book. It was comforting and calm and so rich. It also tells quite a few lessons for children on the kindness and generosity of strangers turned friends. This would make a great gift book!

"Wish you were here" is a beautifully-crafted children's book. The illustrations are brilliant. Very rich, detailed and refined. A fabulous treat for the eyes. And the whole story about a lost doll who sets out on a round-the-world tour is so very precious. A children's book worth having in a paper format when it is released!

This book is based on a true story of Franz Kafka and a little girl who he helps. During his walks, Franz notices a little girl holding a doll and her mother. The next time he sees them, the little girl, Saskia, is distraught because she has lost her doll, Christiana. Franz tells Saskia not to worry that Christiana has boarded a train to Paris and is traveling the world. Using his stash of postcards from his worldly travels, Franz writes to Saskia from Christiana. While Saskia enjoys learning of Christiana's travels, she just wants Christiana to come home. Will Franz be able to reunite Saskia and Christiana? A cute story about a little girl and her lost doll.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am leaving this review of my own accord.

Very thankful to have read this. One of my favorite stories of Kafka and I love that it’s gifted to us through Watts in this new form. Get your tissues!

This was really calm. When my kids were younger we read a lot of picture books and this one is different. It has the feeling of bedtime. It is cozy and calm and perfect for getting ready to sleep. But then you realize that it is Postcards from the guy who wrote Metamorphosis. I love that you have something so peaceful connected to something so dark.

4 stars

In this story the main character loses their doll and Franz tries to find a way to help her.

What a unique way to introduce your child to the concept of loss. This could then be applied to real life situations to provide them with foundations on which to build in order to cope with loss. The story also highlights the generosity and kindness of people, even strangers.

The illustrations were beautiful and delicate and really helped to set the scene.

Thank you so much to NorthSouth Books and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Saskia loses her doll Cristiana, a man in the park named Franz, hears and decides to create a story for where her doll had gone, but with each postcard written Saskia longs for her best friend back.

This was sweet and I liked that he was really kind and creative to try and make this girl feel happier about where her doll could have gone. Giving her these detailed postcards of all these far away lands that she was travelling around too.

I did find the ending was really rather abrupt Saskia asking if she’ll see Franz again and the mother simply saying no he’s moved on. Which was so strange as it came out of nowhere honestly. Wasn’t expecting an ending like that.

The illustrations were really pretty and I loved seeing the older style clothing, the pretty season changes, I loved seeing Cristiana on her adventures, it was very creatively illustrated.

I liked the imagination within the story, I liked the sweetness and random acts of kindness this man showed this little girl. I liked that though at first they couldn’t find her doll they found a way to include the doll in her life so she wasn’t ever far away. It was a sweet book.

A book about a girl who lost her doll and Franz who wants to make sure that she gets it back. Franz says she is traveling the world and he goes to hunt for the doll to give to the girl so they can be reunited.
The drawings are kind of dark and I will it was brighter, especially when they are reunited.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the copy of the ARC.

Wish You Were Here is a cute and heartwarming picture book perfect for a bedtime story. The illustrations reflect a muted color scheme that will have a calming effect after an activity filled day.

The story evokes lessons revolving around kindness and generosity that will provide an ideal teaching opportunity. The story is sweet, but I didn’t get the ending. Did Franz pass away or move? But I guess that will be up to the reader to decide and explain to the young ones. Four stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

I received an electronic ARC from NorthSouth Books Inc. through NetGalley.
A tender story of the time when Franz Kafka befriended a young girl who lost her doll. He created a wonderful trip around the world for Christiana. She sent postcards back via Kafka to share her adventures. To complete her journey, Kafka gives Saskia a doll he purchased and said was Christiana after her travels. The girl welcomed the doll and was delighted she was back.
The soft focus illustrations capture the emotions surrounding this story. The joy and the coming sadness shine through both words and art. A lovely version of this part of Kafka's history.

A nice little children's book that doesn't follow the regular story beats of children's books. It actually reminded me of some of the books I had as a child that I was quite fond of.
It has more depth to it than the regular children's picture book and makes you reflect. The illustrations were nice as well although sometimes the pages were a bit too white and empty for my taste.
I must admit, I was very surprised by the ending. I wish there was a bid more foreshadowing of the ending. It felt incredible sudden and out of the blue.

This picture book is based on a supposedly true story where writer Franz Kafka meets a little girl crying in the park. She is sad because her doll has gone missing. He writes the girl letters (in this book postcards) telling the child of the dolls many adventures. This is a lovely version of the story with beautiful, old fashioned, illustrations by Bernadette Watts. The creative use of his talents to comfort the girl is a lovely lesson. The elementary aged children this is geared towards won’t know who Kafka was but can appreciate the message in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this story because the tale of Franz Kafka and the letters he sent to the young girl has popped up on my Facebook feed several times over the last few years, and I have always wondered how much of the story was true. So this story truly touched my heart. This is the perfect book to read with your child. It makes you feel warm and cozy.

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Thank you NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of "Wish You Were Here" by Bernadette Watts.
The story was so beautiful and the illustrations captured you from page to page! My 7.5 year old found this story interesting and stayed engraved the entire time reading. I had no idea be inspiration found in Franz Kafka. Very interesting! Definitely will recommend to my local library.