Books with author Frederick R. Karl

Everyone at some point wishes to be taller. This story is about that wish and the extraordinary steps Wilt takes in making his wish come true. In the end, Wilt grows tall enough to do the things he wants to do, but only after an around-the-world adventure. This is a longer picture book and is for readers who already are reading simple books on their own.

Wilt is unhappy: he has trouble keeping up with others, playing games, and climbing into the tree house because his legs are too short. So Wilt builds stilts and wears them to keep up, play games, and climb into the tree house. He is teased: "Wilt's on Stilts!", and his parents find uses for Wilt's new height. Wilt does not want to be useful, so he builds new stilts that are so long that he can walk a mile in only two-and-a-half steps! Only after he’s traveled for a year around the world on his stilts does Wilt return home, happy with himself and his own height – a height which is now tall enough for Wilt to keep up with others, play games, and climb into the tree house.