Tish

Charles Dimple needed a friend, and a spark of an idea grew from his imagination into the perfect friend for him. And a Perfect is what materializes for Charles. He names the creature Tish after asking its name and hearing a small sneeze. Tish loves being Charles’s friend, and they go everywhere and do everything together. At school, Tish sees other Perfects, but they start to disappear as the children make friends. And when Charles makes a new friend, Tish realizes he isn’t needed there anymore, but Tish doesn’t want to disappear, so he wanders off until he finds a new someone who needs him. And he does when he gets stuck in Annabeth Arch’s tree. But when Annabeth makes up with her best friend, Tish is at odds again. Can he find the right person?

Edwina Wyatt has written a sweet story about the delight and comfort youngsters can find in imaginary friends. Telling the story from the point of view of the Perfect is an interesting choice and gives the story a unique perspective. Wyatt seems to inhabit Tish perfectly and makes his story quite believable. Younger middle-graders will be charmed and engaged by this unusual book.