Waiting

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

A group of animals wait for various things to happen, and their lives are enriched by the experiences they have while waiting.

6.1/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 6,503 ratings

32 pages· 273 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud· 440L

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Bookroo's summary

On a child's windowsill, five toy friends—an owl, a puppy, a bear, a rabbit, and a pig—wait for their dreams to come true. Each has a unique wish: the moon, rain, wind, snow, or simply the joy of waiting. As they sit, the question looms: will patience bring the wonders they seek, or will they find unexpected adventures? This heartfelt tale explores the essence of waiting, friendship, and the magic of imagination, inviting young readers to ponder what surprises life might hold.

From the publisher

What are you waiting for? An owl, a puppy, a bear, a rabbit, and a pig—all toys arranged on a child’s windowsill—wait for marvelous things to happen in this irresistible picture book by the New York Times–bestselling and Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes.

Five friends sit happily on a windowsill, waiting for something amazing to happen. The owl is waiting for the moon. The pig is waiting for the rain. The bear is waiting for the wind. The puppy is waiting for the snow. And the rabbit is just looking out the window because he likes to wait! What will happen? Will patience win in the end? Or someday will the friends stop waiting and do something unexpected?

Waiting is a big part of childhood—waiting in line, waiting to grow up, waiting for something special to happen—but in this book, a child sets the stage and pulls the strings. Timeless, beautiful, and deeply heartfelt, this picture book about imaginative play, the seasons, friendship, and surprises marks a new pinnacle in Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes’s extraordinary career.

Awards

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor (2016)Caldecott Honor (2016)The E.B. White Read Aloud Honor (2016)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 32
Words: 273
Reading age: 4–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: 440L

Themes & topics

Books about seasons Books about imagination and play Books about animals Books about first concepts Books about the five senses

What readers & critics say

Reviews

6.1

out of 7

7.0

“Beautiful, simple, inventive, sweet. The illustrations are simultaneously minimalistic and impressively nuanced, and the premise is unique in a way that makes me want to look at the world more creatively. I treasure this book and the moments I've spent reading it to my daughters.”

Lauren Hancock

Trusted reviewer

The author & illustrator