Waiting
By Kevin Henkes
The Story
Five toy friends sit on a windowsill, each waiting for something to happen — the owl for the moon, the pig for the rain, the bear for the wind, the puppy for the snow — while the rabbit just likes to wait.
Why It's Special
For the kid who lines up stuffed animals and gives each one a whole inner life, this book turns a windowsill into a world.
- Big idea: Waiting itself can be a kind of quiet joy, not just something to get through.
- Vibes: Gentle, still, and quietly funny — a slow, cozy pace that mirrors the seasons passing outside the glass.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy quiet, slow-paced stories
- like to give personalities to their toys and stuffed animals
- are working on patience and sitting with anticipation
- respond well to calm, repetitive bedtime stories
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story details: What is each friend on the windowsill waiting for?
- Imagination: If you were sitting on that windowsill, what would you want to wait for?
- Feelings & empathy: Why do you think the rabbit likes to wait even though he isn't waiting for anything in particular?
- Real-life connection: Can you think of something you're waiting for right now?
- Observation: What did you notice changing outside the window as you looked at the pictures?
