I just picked up Waiting
by Kevin Henkes…such sweetness wrapped up in the hardbound covering of a
picture book. I am so glad that it is
now added to the collection of picture books on my shelves. Of course, I initially picked it up while
perusing the bookstore because I saw the author’s name. He’s one of my favorites (Yes, I say that
about a lot of authors; I have many favorites.)! You all know him. He is the author of one of your favorites too,
Chrysanthemum. He is that mice-loving author of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse; Julius, the Baby of the World; Wimberly Worried; and more. He is also the author of books without mice,
like the Caldecott winning Kitten’s First Full Moon. And, he even won Newbery honors for his
chapter books The Year of Billy Miller
and Olive’s Ocean. Now you know why I had to pick up Waiting when I saw it for the first
time.
Because Henkes is both author and illustrator, I happily get
to write about both in this blog. The
soft pastels of the illustrations match the softness of the story. They are a perfect partnership. From the simple setting of a paned window to
the simple concept of waiting, readers meet five friends who spend their time
on the windowsill, side by side, each simultaneously waiting for something special,
or maybe nothing particular at all. The charming
faces of the pig, the owl, the dog, the rabbit, and the bear are just so
inviting. It has a charm that is felt in
the simplicity of the words as well.
For the five main characters, days come and go, things come and go (and sometimes do not come back), and they just wait, content to be beside one another. Then, one day a cat comes. They are curious; she does not seem to be waiting. Yet, she is waiting for something very special. And, she doubles the joy of who they are as friends on the windowsill.
Now, I too am waiting.
I am waiting to share this book with others. You, reader, are my first. But, I am waiting to read this book with
preschool-aged children. This book will
make a super sweet read aloud, I am sure.
So, now, I am also waiting for you to read it with your students. I can imagine the quiet room as a teacher
softly whispers the story to the students.
I can imagine the wonder of the little eyes as they take in the
beautiful colors of the illustrations and the sweet faces of the animal
friends. I can hear the concern in the
voices of the students as they ponder the elephant’s situation. I can feel the warmth of the hearts in the
room as they realize that friends are always there for each other, even when
they are waiting for something different.
I love this sweet picture book, and I cannot wait for you to share it
with your students. I will be waiting to
hear how you and your students share your time together with this special
book.
Waiting, by Kevin
Henkes, 32 pages from Greenwillow Books of Harper Collins (September 1, 2015); ISBN:
978-0-06236843-0
Ideal for Preschool-Grade 2 children (or those of us who
just cannot resist a sweet picture book)
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