Waiting

Waiting
Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

My rating: ★★★

ISBN: 978-0062368430
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Date of publication: September 1, 2015
Age: 3 - 8 years

Themes: waiting, toys, weather, friendship

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?

And I was left waiting for something better. I do appreciate the book, another Henkes' simple, heartfelt tale. It's cute and has the most adorable illustrations—the emotions of the toys are excellently conveyed. But the storyline? I just don't quite understand it. The five friends are waiting for their various events...and then they happen. So not a lot of waiting required. Sometimes other things happen. Then a new friend comes, who has her own event to wait for...which then happens. And now they'll just wait to see what happens next. So no, there's no real climax nor a wrapping up of the story. No progress is made, really. Nothing to accomplish expect to ponder what you yourself may be waiting for as you stare out the big window of life.

It's certainly more existential or melancholy than your usual picture book. As for a recommendation? To each their own, I say. Some will love this, some will be confused. It's not a lesson in patience nor a heartwarming tale of friendship, it's just...philosophical.

Find it at your library or on Amazon