Anything - Hardcover

by Rebecca Stead (Author), Gracey Zhang (Illustrator)

2026 ALSC Notable Children's Book

6 STARRED REVIEWS - AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE MONTH - KIDS' INDIE NEXT PICK - 2025 GOOD HOUSEKEEPING KIDS BOOK AWARD WINNER

"An unforgettable story about change with a loving father-daughter bond at its heart."--Matt de la Peña, Newbery Medal-winning author of Last Stop on Market Street

Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead's first picture book is a transporting tale about the power of an honest wish, the courage to speak it out loud, and the imagination to bring it to life.

What's more powerful than a secret wish? A wish you say out loud.

Anything paints a tender picture of a father and daughter moving into a new home. Dad brings a birthday cake for the new apartment to celebrate their new beginning and tells his daughter she can wish for anything (or, more precisely, "three Anythings"). Over the course of the day, she wishes for some of her favorite things, including a rainbow and "the biggest slice of pizza in the whole world."

But she keeps some of her wishes inside. Because what she really wants is to go back home to their old apartment, with its big blue bathtub and space in the closet for hide-and-seek. When she finally admits this last wish, her dad takes her on a journey, and by the book's final pages, she is home . . . in every way that matters.

Pairing an enchanting story from Rebecca Stead (author of the Newbery Medal-winning When You Reach Me) with delightful artwork from Gracey Zhang (illustrator of the Caldecott Honor-winning Noodles on a Bicycle), Anything is pure magic. A story that will resonate with every young reader, it is a powerful reminder that sometimes making a wish is a way of telling ourselves we're ready for something new.

BIG FEELINGS: Change can feel hard or even scary. This book about moving is for anyone facing new beginnings or uncertainty and the emotions that come with navigating the unknown, from fear and anxiety to excitement and hope. It's a reassuring and uplifting read that shows a child--and her dad--using their imaginations and emotional connection to make room for something new.

FATHER-DAUGHTER LOVE: This is a heartwarming portrait of a beautiful father-daughter relationship built on love and trust. By the end of the story, she follows his example of generosity and is able to grant his wish, however small. This pitch-perfect ending will stay with readers long after the last page turns.

Perfect for:

• Kids facing change, new beginnings, or uncertainty
• Parents seeking a comforting, uplifting book to share with children
• Educators and therapists looking for resources to coach young readers through challenges and change
• Father's Day or birthday gift for dad
• Fans of Rebecca Stead books, including When You Reach Me, The List of Things That Will Not Change, and The Lost Library
• Fans of Gracey Zhang books, including Noodles on a Bicycle, Lala's Words, and The Upside Down Hat

Author Biography

Rebecca Stead is an acclaimed author of novels for young people, including The List of Things That Will Not Change, Liar & Spy, and When You Reach Me, which won the Newbery Medal. Anything is her first picture book. Rebecca lives in New York City. Find out more at rebeccastead.com.

Gracey Zhang is an award-winning illustrator, author, and animator. She received the Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Award for her debut picture book, Lala's Words, and she also illustrated The Big Bath House, Nigel and the Moon, and The Upside Down Hat, which won a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books Award. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Learn more at graceyzhang.com.