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Caldecott Honor and Geisel Honor BookWhat 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.“The short sentences of the text flow with the precision one would expect from a master picture-book creator like Henkes. Little ones, to whom each experience is new, will know what it’s like to dream and wait.”—ALA Booklist
Lexile Measure: 260 (What's this?)
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books; First Edition edition (September 1, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062368435
ISBN-13: 978-0062368430
Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.4 x 11.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (202 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #2,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #58 in Books > Children's Books > Activities, Crafts & Games > Activity Books
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
This book is absolutely lovely. It is also nothing like what I expected -- apparently there is a whole Kevin Henkes world that we need to discover. We know and love Henkes from Chrysanthemum, Owen, Lilly, Wemberly; you know, his wonderful mice. Those books are funny, both in the text and in the pictures, and a little bit silly, but also sweet, loving, and wonderful for children who are facing transitions or who worry. As Kindergarten begins this month, we've been reading them non-stop at our house. Waiting is, in many ways, completely different from those books. Visually it is in a different style, and it is lovely. Breathtaking. Sweet. Timeless. In the mice books, I enjoyed the illustrations as part of the story, but here in Waiting, I enjoy the illustrations on their own. As for the story, there is a little humor, but it's much subtler; I smiled but I didn't laugh. There is not a central character with a trial to overcome or a milestone to reach. It is a calm story with not a whole lot going on. And this is why I feel, at root, it fits in with the Henkes' work we know and love. After reading Waiting, I immediately bought it, because it is so perfect to read with my little ones in this September of school transitions, tiredness, and stress. It is relaxing and lovely. Both my brand-new preschooler and my brand-new Kindergartner recommend this book.
I had the privilege of hearing Kevin Henkes talk about his new book, Waiting, and read it aloud at our local independent bookstore. He told us how Waiting grew from an idea, an observation, to a story. He also shared how the artwork evolved. The story will appeal to a wide range of ages. For me, I think about how gazing out the window changes over time. How we as viewers can share looking out the same window but expect and desire widely different things from life. Picture books are amazing. Kevin Henkes is a charming and talented author.
Love love love Kevin Henkes and was excited for this book. Was hoping it would teach my kids the value of patience. The illustrations are gorgeous (as usual!). However, the story made my son cry :(. The toys in the story are alive (much like Toy Story) and they are waiting for something to happen. One day a new toy joined them and "left and never returned" (illustration shows a toy that fell off the shelf and has broken into tons of pieces). Lots of tears from my sensitive boy :(
These days there are at best one or two titles a year that I feel qualify as true picture books. "Waiting" is one of them. It's reminiscent of M. B. Goffstien's minimalist books, yet with more wit. In fact, the subtle wit here feels new to Henkes (wit as opposed to humor.) This is a lovely, reflective work. The art alone surpasses anything Henkes has done up to now. "Waiting" is absolutely perfect!
Kevin Henkes has remained one of my favorite authors of childrens books for a great number of years. I have always enjoyed sharing his books first with my own children and then with children in the school library where I worked. Now I am retired and have the privilege of sharing his books with grand and great-grandchildren. Waiting is an adorable book with such sweet illustrations. The story is a privilege to read. Waiting is a great book to share and explore with youngsters. Kevin Henkes is one who makes reading so enjoyable for all of us. Waiting is a really good book all the way around.
Summary: Five toy animals spend their days sitting on a windowsill, looking out the window, and waiting. The pig with the umbrella is waiting for rain, the owl is waiting for the moon, the bear with the kite is waiting for wind, the dog on the sled is waiting for snow, and the rabbit with stars isn’t waiting for anything in particular. He just likes to look out the window and wait. Each animal is happy when he sees what he is waiting for out the window. Sometimes there are other surprises for them, some good, some not so good. One day a cat joins them. She doesn’t seem to be waiting for anything in particular, but she turns out to have a surprise that turns their group of five to a group of ten. Ages 2-6.Pros: Another book by Kevin Henkes that quietly, but perfectly, captures human emotions, both in the words and the unbelievably adorable animal illustrations.Cons: What happens to the visitor from far away. Oh well, guess that’s part of life, too.
This is a beautifully illustrated book with subtlety in both the illustration and words. The story is short and simple. It's poetic and feels like a reflection about life. Happy, dull, sad, and memorable moments are shown through the expressions of each animal that waits by the window sill. My 3 year old daughter appreciated the artwork and the cuteness of each animal character. As an adult, I appreciated the simplicity of the meaning and the natural way the book unfolded.
This is a sweet, magical book about waiting. Good things come to those who wait - and in this book it comes true. Five toys wait and watch for the magic of nature: the moon coming up, the rain coming down, the snow blowing around and the rabbit just liked to look out the window. They saw wonderful and interesting things like rainbows and lightning and sparkly icicles.One day a cat showed up with patches. What was she waiting for? Anything in particular? She had a surprise for them. And then something new showed up for them to watch and wait for.This is a comforting read - except one toy does get broken - so you might want to prepare the children for that.After you read this book, you might want to encourage your child, or children in your class, to draw a picture of what they like to wait and watch for. You could write a class story about it, too.The illustrations in pale pastels match the sweetness of the story.
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