David Spiller
Wishes
language
(Ben Spiller Aug. 15, 2011)
, 1st edition
The Salter family receives an unexpected visit from their sinister Uncle Teddy, a perpetual traveller dress in black, with a macaw on his shoulder and a bagful of unusual presents. Amongst these is an apparently boring metal dish which he gives the two children Ben and Sam (aged 10 and 7), saying it will allow each of them to have three wishes.
They soon find out that this is true. Whilst holding the dish, Ben accidentally turns Sam into their favourite soft toy, and Sam has to use up a wish to become himself again. With his second wish, Ben makes himself and his school teacher fly around the classroom. Then Sam takes revenge on his brother by getting all the girls at school fall in love with him.
When Sam disappears after bungling his last wish, Ben reluctantly uses his last wish to go and rescue him. They are both transported to a frightening place that involves a train across the desert, fire-breathing dragons, and the return of Uncle Teddy on a black stallion.