Book Summary

This sweet little story is about five toy friends waiting on a windowsill. The owl is waiting for the moon, the pig with the umbrella is waiting for rain, the bear with the kite is waiting for wind, the dog with the sled is waiting for snow, and the bunny is waiting for nothing in particular. Some friends join them and some friends leave. Some of them wait no time at all, and others for a very long time. While they are waiting, they see spectacular sights outside their window.

Content

This book is just right for the age group it caters to, with its short sentences and applicability. Every child knows what it's like to have to wait for something. As such, it is universally appealing. In a way, this book might not just be for the kids!

Illustrations

Henkes uses soft muted colors in browns, greens, blues, and pinks to make the characters and illustrations kid-friendly. Some pages that illustrate events that the toys have seen while they were waiting do not include any text; the illustrations are crucial to understanding the story, especially on these pages. 

Format

The text is formatted to support independent reading. The sentences are short and the book reads quickly. The illustration on the jacket is intriguing and encourages young readers to peek inside. This book is made to be read many times. 

Overall Evaluation

I had never read this book before, but was glad I did. It will be a welcome addition to my reading material in my SPED classroom, as some of us have a very difficult time waiting and being patient! It also suggests empathy, that others may have a difficult time waiting too!

For Future Professionals to Use With Children

This book could be used to teach being patient and being empathetic of others (difficult concepts for those with ASD or ADHD).