T.W. Burgess was an American conservationist who wrote children's stories with the express intention of informing children about the natural world and inspiring them to love the many creatures found in the wild. He wrote stories from the perspective of various animals. His characters were anthropomorphised to bring the story to life and engage the reader, but the facts about their life and circumstances are all realistic. The awesomeness of nature is laid before us on the pages.

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The child reader enters a wonderful world populated by many beloved characters, and learns a textbook's worth of zoological facts, whilst never realising that they in a nature studies class. The characters are so charming, the stories are so alive, immediate and enjoyable. The story carries the reader and they learn despite themselves. Burgess was a master story teller who achieved his purpose well - a purpose only evident to the attentive adult. Many of his books are wonderful. They make great read-aloud books for the whole family.

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Additionally, the language used is beautiful, and the characters are loveable.

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The Wishing Stone is a wonderful example of his work, and children follow the stories with awe and attention. It has aged very well.

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The book is also known as: 'Tommy and the Wishing-Stone'.

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