Wonderful illustrations with lots of character. A reminder to hold onto the precious memories we have of those that we love.

This book was sweet. Losing someone is hard at any age, but especially for a child. Its a good example for children to see. I loved the phone concept.

A really lovely way of dealing with grief for little ones. I think this could help them understand that even though that person is gone you still have all your memories with them. I would’ve loved something like this when I was younger and my grandmother passed away.

Beautifully illustrated book with a sweet idea. Each page was full of life and I'm sure younger children will be drawn to the vibrant illustrations.

However, this is not a story I would enjoy reading aloud. The rhyming is a bit forced at points, ruining the flow. I also wasn't that big on such a phone-centred story. It isn't something I like as a parent, especially given the grief involved. I don't know that I like the idea of children wanting access to phones to speak to relatives that have passed away.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. These thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
This book was about a little girl who missed her grandma and made a wish to call her in heaven.
When my 3-year-old was asked what he thought of the book, he said "This book was nice."
For a book that covers a pretty tough topic, the death of a grandparent, I think it handled it well. It talked about how it's okay to miss loved ones when they're gone and how you should remember all the memories you made together. The illustrations were simple yet still sweet.
No language. No spice, obviously.

This was such a touching and beautifully handled story about grief and losing someone you love. I really appreciated the way it acknowledges the sadness that comes with loss while still leaving room for hope, love, and cherished memories. The story offers a gentle way for young readers to think about grief and reminds us that the people we love continue to be an important part of our lives even after they’re gone.

What a fantastically written book this is, it’s such a beautiful story, which is a great way to help children who maybe be grieving or a book to show you that memories are sacred. As adults most of us will have grieved at some point in our life, but children do not understand the way we do, so it’s a lovely way to encourage young children to think of all the memories they have and find peace knowing that they were part of their life and them memories will be passed on to their family one day. It’s a natural part of life, I’d definitely recommend anyone to read this book, it’s short and sweet but absolutely beautiful

This book was truly mesmerising. The story itself it’s super cute and my library’s kids loved it! The illustrations are beautiful and truly captivating. Gonna keep an eye on this author!

Luna Made A Wish by Jake Pilkington, illustrated by Sally Darby, is a tender, magical and emotionally resonant picture book that follows Luna as she wishes for one final goodbye with her beloved Granny and is taken on a gentle journey after Granny's old mobile phone mysteriously rings, with help from the Man in the Moon, her cat Batmouse and a little fix-it magic from Dad. Best suited to EYFS, with KS1 perhaps enjoying it too, the story explores grief, love and the enduring comfort of memories. The writing is gentle and accessible, allowing younger readers to approach the difficult subject of loss through a magical lens rather than an overly heavy explanation, although the story's simplicity and the way it presents its themes make it less suitable for KS2 readers.

I particularly appreciated how the story reinforces that although someone we love may no longer be with us, the memories and love they left behind remain. There is something comforting in Luna's desire to hear Granny's voice again, and the magical elements create a soft space for children to explore feelings that can otherwise be incredibly difficult to articulate. I also think this could open up some meaningful conversations between adults and children about grief, remembrance and what it means to say goodbye.

My only hesitation is that the story jumps quite quickly into the reality of loss, which may feel quite direct for a child encountering the concept of death for the first time. The magical ability to hear Granny's voice again could also potentially blur the distinction between fantasy and reality for some younger children, so I think this is one where an adult's judgement of the individual child and their understanding would be particularly important. Nevertheless, Luna Made A Wish offers a gentle and reassuring way into conversations about grief for young children, reminding us that while people cannot always stay with us, the love we share with them and the memories we make can remain long after they are gone.

4 stars — A tender, well-laid-out story of love and loss

Luna Made A Wish by Jake Pilkington, illustrated by Sally Darby, has lovely illustrations throughout. The story is well written, easy to read and follow.

We lost my father unexpectedly on New Year's Day in 2025, so my daughter could really resonate with the story. It actually left her feeling sad rather than uplifted, even though Luna does get her wish in the end — a reminder that books like this can bring up real emotions for children going through their own loss.

The layout is pretty clear, with just one occasion where the text sat over the illustrations — something I'm not a fan of, as I like children's books to have clear, uncluttered text for the reader's ease.

A tender, thoughtfully told story. 4 stars.