I Wish I Was Strong Like Manuel

Willie goes to elaborate and comical lengths to be strong like Manuel. He thinks being strong makes his best friend Willie look like a superhero. In the quest to be strong, Willie comes up with a multitude of ingenious ways of getting there. What one person might dislike about themselves may be just the thing that someone else would envy. Willie grows in appreciation of his own uniqueness.

The I Wish series (I Wish I Was Tall Like Willie, I Wish I Was Strong Like Manuel, I Wish I Had Glasses Like Rosa, I Wish I Had Freckles Like Abby) explores the issues of self?esteem, self?acceptance and friendship for children. Kids are reminded to like themselves "just the way they are!" through humorous situations and outlandish schemes.