Ebele wishes he and his widowed mother would have a memorable Christmas with lots of presents. With his mother barely able to afford food and his friends mocking him, Ebele is afraid that he might not get any presents at all. When a strange man comes to town, Ebele opens his heart and home reluctantly. In return, the stranger teaches him there is more to Christmas than just gifts and that kindness is a virtue rewarded by great fortune.

WISH MAKER tells the story of Ebele, a 9-year-old boy whose widowed mother can’t afford to grant his wish for a bicycle. His friends cannot wait to show off their Christmas presents to Ebele, and they delight in making fun of him because he and his mother are poor. Unable to stand their taunting, Ebele considers hiding indoors during Christmas but meets a quirky, annoying, smelly stranger who claims to be an angel. The stranger, however, makes him realize his wish could come true only if they went fishing in the river where his father died. WISH MAKER is a blend of magic and realism set during Christmas week in a riverine village in southeast Nigeria. By turns sad and funny, it explores themes such as peer pressure, fear, kindness, hope, courage, and friendship.

Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike is a Nigerian-born, Calgary-based poet, fiction writer, essayist, and literary journalist. He is the author of Double Wahala, Double Trouble; Wish Maker; and a co-editor of Wreaths for Wayfarers.

Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike's profile page

Henry Ezeokeke's profile page

The Wish Maker is pure delight. It is a compelling story set in the rustic locale of a Nigerian village with engaging characters and a dose of magical realism. This is a book that will not only entertain the reader, but will enlighten and inspire them with its large dose of moral lessons, innovative exploration of the spiritual and balanced treatment of social issues. It is a tidal wave that needs to be surfed by both young and old alike.

- Jude Idada, Author, Boom Boom Winner of the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature