I Want to Be Philberta

Bronze Medal at the 2013 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards. A fun, tongue-in-cheek story about the magic of books and the power of imagination. Mary wants to be Philberta and everyone looks at her as if she was an alien—but who is Philberta?

Mary’s dad wants to be rich. Mary’s mom wants to live in a better house. The principal of her school wants to retire, and her teacher wants to be her new principal. Like all of the other grown-ups in the little girl’s life, they spend their time wishing for things that they believe will make them feel completely satisfied. So why do they look at Mary as if she were some kind of freak when she’s got a wish of her own: to be Philberta!

Maybe the mysterious storybook that Mary always carries with her can help put an end to all these useless wishes.  I Want to Be Philberta reminds us that there’s nothing more gratifying than letting yourself get carried away in the fantasy of a good book.