Kevin Henkes

Waiting: A Gentle Story About Patience and Imagination for Children (Ages 4–8)

$10.56
Last updated Nov 4, 2026 at 2:32am
Kevin Henkes

About this product

What are you waiting for? An owl, a puppy, a bear, a rabbit, and a pig wait for marvelous things to happen in this irresistible and resonant 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 is a Caldecott Honor and Geisel Honor Book. Share Waiting alongside Mo Willems's Waiting Is Not Easy at home or in a classroom—these books about waiting for kids will be enjoyed as picture book stories and also allow kids to explore their emotions about that ultimate frustration: waiting. “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 Read more

Editor's Take

Amazon reviewers say this Kevin Henkes picture book is cute, sweet, simple, and gentle, with several noting it works well for families and for children dealing with waiting or big feelings. Reviews on Goodreads and Common Sense Media describe it as quiet, peaceful, meditative, and soothing, with strong appeal for ages 3–5 and as a calming read-aloud. Blog reviews on Waking Brain Cells and The Baby Bookworm praise its soft illustrations, patience theme, and thoughtful, charming tone. A review on ethelandivy.com highlights how touching and reflective the story feels, especially in the later pages. Overall, real readers and reviewers consistently describe it as a calm, beautifully illustrated book about patience, observation, and imagination.

Price History

Specifications

Genre Children
Illustrated No

Product Details

Publisher Greenwillow Books
Publication date September 1, 2015
Edition Illustrated
Language English
Print length 32 pages
ISBN-10 0062368435
ISBN-13 978-0062368430
Item Weight 10.4 ounces
Reading age 2 - 5 years, from customers
Dimensions 0.5 x 9.1 x 11.5 inches
Grade level Preschool - 3
Best Sellers Rank #12,084 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #45 in Children's Rabbit Books (Books) #66 in Children's Pig Books (Books) #82 in Children's Where We Live Books (Books)
Customer Reviews 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,432)

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