"Anything" by Rebecca Stead begins with a young girl making wishes as she blows out the candle on the cake. She wishes for life to go back to how it as was before as they are moving into a new apartment. The black and white illustrations showcase the girl's feelings about their new home. As she wishes for 3 "anythings", the book starts to incorporate colors into the illustrations. The colors flourish on the pages as the new apartment begins to feel like home. Great for talking about change and new beginnings. For grades Kindergarten - 3rd grade.

Oh what a lovely book!!

A young child an their dad have moved into a new apartment and are celebrating with chocolate cake that has one candle on it for a wish. The child asks their father what they should wish for.

ANYTHING
says the Dad; wish for three anythings.

So begins an adventure of learning a new home, hoping for certain things [and not always getting them], and finding the child's three anythings. It is also about the struggle of moving to new places that feel strange [including new sounds and shadows, and how glorious it is when Dad is there to answer their call for help], and how this amazing parent helps his little feel better about it all.

Absolutely fantastic, with gorgeous, touching illustrations, everyone who reads this book will love it [it is just so very touching], it will resonate with adults [and maybe even remind them of time with their own parents when they too were little] and I think you will find that everyone will want to read this over and over.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Stead, Gracey Zhang - Illustrator, and Chronicle Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca can do no wrong! I'll read anything she writes and this picturre book definelty matches the hype.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Stead delivers a story that unfolds like a quiet spell—you don’t realize how deep it’s pulled you in until the last page lands like a whisper. It's nostalgic and introspective in that "sit with it after" kind of way.

This is a sweet little book about a girl and her dad, who have moved into a new apartment. The girl is unhappy about having to move and misses her old home. We don't know why they moved, but a picture depicted in one of the illustrations shows a man and a woman, who I assume are her parents and now the mom is missing. When The story was cute, but I felt like it was missing something. I wanted to have more focus on her feelings and why they had to move. I really enjoyed how her dad went on a journey to their old home taking her around the apartment.
All in all the book was just OK for me. It was missing some context that I believe would have made it much more powerful and less confusing. What I mean by confusing is that not much is explained as to what happened prior to them celebrating the birthday of their new apartment. The pictures were also confusing to me and I think of how the mind of a young child would process the lines and scrambled up pictures.

A sweet story of a little girl struggling with emotions after moving into an apartment with her dad. The dad does many things in attempt to help ease the move for the girl and helps the reader to gain understanding for both.

This is a very heartwarming story about a single dad and his daughter and their move to an apartment. His kindness and ability to feel her feelings is inspirational.

This is the story of a young child who moves into a new apartment. They’re not happy with the new apartment but they have a birthday for it. And Dad grants the child three “anything” wishes. They include a rainbow, for it not to be Thursday, and a giant slice of pizza. This is a sweet story. The art is unique. The story may be a little hard for someone to understand, but I like the idea behind it.

Anything is a heart-warming story, lovingly told and beautifully illustrated. A source of comfort for anyone navigating life's uninvited changes.

This picture book is about a little girl and her father who have just moved to a new apartment. The girl is struggling with the change and misses their previous home, and the father does all he can to help her adjust and make things special for her. It's a sweet story in many ways, but I found the ending very abrupt, and I also wish that the story had addressed her feelings and questions more directly.

Netgalley ARC- books about moving are hard for me, but this one was well done. It doesn't shy away from the confusion or sense of displacement, but it makes room for comfort and acceptance of change along side those feelings.

I love the illustrations and the moody feel that the author evokes, as a little girl and her dad move into a new apartment. It felt like perhaps her parents have divorced, and this was her dad's new place, but the love she has for her father and the comfort he brings is strong enough to overcome any challenges.

I thought this was a fantastic book for children to feel seen when they are uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or even afraid. The security that the father provides is very reassuring. I also liked that not all of her wishes came true, and that was ok.

This beautifully crafted children’s book captures the essence of change—its initial uncertainty and the blossoming hope that follows. The narrative follows a little girl navigating the intimidating feelings of change, perfectly mirrored by the artwork that evolves from a subdued greyscale to a vibrant, rich palette. This transformation is not just visually stunning; it symbolically represents the journey from fear to optimism.

At the heart of the story is the extraordinary bond between a loving father and his imaginative daughter. From the very beginning, her father’s support is palpable as he encourages her to make wishes, offering a world where she can choose “anything.” His ability to adapt and provide reassurance provides not only comfort but also an empowering message: even when change seems overwhelming, there is beauty and possibility waiting on the other side.

This book is an inspiring resource for children experiencing uncertainty—whether due to big life changes or moving to a new place. It gently reassures young readers that while change can be scary, it also opens up a world of color, opportunity, and personal growth. A must-read for families seeking a heartfelt story that celebrates resilience, love, and the magic of possibility.

I was excited to see a book by Rebecca Stead while I was searching NetGalley. The book left me feeling a bit empty, and I felt that the jumbled illustrations had something to do with it. Some pages are very sparse, while others are an almost cacophonous jumble. I did really like the dad's answer to a request to "go home."

A heartwarming story of a little girl and her dad, on their first day together in a new apartment. I loved this simple, sweet story, especially reading it to my daughter shortly after we moved (and she asked for a rainbow in her new room). Highly recommend with happy tears in my eyes.

This charming picture book tells the heartwarming story of a young girl struggling to feel secure in her new home. With sensitivity and warmth, her father reassures her by engaging in her imaginative concerns while maintaining a respectful and understanding tone. The narrative beautifully captures the emotional challenges of moving and adjusting to a new environment, making it highly relatable for young readers. The illustrations are vibrant and cheerful, adding energy to the story, though at times they may compete with the text for attention. Overall, this book is a valuable addition to libraries and classrooms, offering a thoughtful exploration of the uncertainties that come with change and the comfort of parental support.

Rebecca Stead’s Anything is a beautifully tender picture book about change, wishes, and the love between a father and daughter. Moving to a new home can be overwhelming, and Stead captures that uncertainty with warmth and honesty. The story follows a young girl whose dad gives her “three Anythings” to wish for on her birthday—yet the wish she holds closest to her heart is one she struggles to say out loud.

Gracey Zhang’s expressive illustrations perfectly complement Stead’s gentle storytelling, bringing emotion and whimsy to the journey. This book is a wonderful choice for children navigating big transitions, offering reassurance that home isn’t just a place—it’s the love and connection we carry with us. A heartfelt, magical read that belongs on every library shelf.

Recommended for: Kids facing change, families looking for a meaningful read-aloud, and anyone who believes in the power of a wish.

Ok, not me being emotional about this one. I was raised by a single father, so the book put me right back there, especially the breakfast and how silly dads can be when they try to find comfort for their children. Perfect book for a kid getting used to a new home.

Being thrust into change is hard for most people but most especially a child. Even when you attempt to make their new space cozy with all of their creature comforts, new wall color, or favorite meal, they’ll still grieve and miss their previous home, friends and family, and things that couldn’t be brought to the new place. Anything was a sweet exchange between a sad child and her hopeful father. He attempts to make everything right but no matter who cheery he made things, there was gloomy and doom. As he transported her to her home, a long ride through the new apartment, all of the fears and sounds and smells start to become acceptable and comforting. The imagery was lovely and welcoming, like we were part of the neighborhood looking through the window past the street and into Apartment 3B.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this picture book in exchange for an honest review.

A sweet and simple book about a loving father and daughter. These books always get me in the feels because I'm a daddy's girl. Perfect for Father's Day, or any time of year.