Peter Vanderwall based Mac's Big Wish on a bedtime story he created to tell his sons, Eric and Kenny, when they were growing up. Mac's Big Wish is the first in a series of children's picture story books to be published by Sophie & Sheba Books. Peter supports the work of the Humane Society of the United States. 

In July, 2023 the Oregon State Literacy Association nominated Mac's Big Wish and four other titles for the 2024 Patricia Gallagher Children's Choice Picture Book Award.  Children will vote for their favorite book from September 1, 2023 until May 1, 2024. By awarding high quality children's literacy, and involving children in the process, the OSLA fulfills its goal to promote literacy that the love of reading.

Teachers have developed lesson activities that support children learning from Mac's Big Wish while helping master standards in literacy and also social emotional learning. These free lessons are available to download and use as they are or modify on the author's website.

From Kirkus Reviews, October 15, 2022: A dog learns that each pup is special in their own way in Vanderwall’s debut picture book. Vanderwall builds the story well for newly independent readers, with simply structured sentences, repeated phrases, and fun sound words (squish-squash-squish, click-clack, squeak-squeak-squeaking). Illustrator Lillian’s two-page spread is joyful. The painterly cartoon style allows for humanlike expressions on otherwise realistically portrayed animals’ faces, and the diverse cast of humans of varying skin tones, shapes, and ages is a delight.  A book for dog lovers featuring a strong lesson about the value of friendship.

Mac's Big Wish is a children's picture story book for ages 2 through 8.  Middle school schools, high school students, and adults also love Mac's Big Wish.