Wait
As a boy and his mother move quickly through the city, they're drawn to different things. The boy sees a dog, a butterfly, and a hungry duck while his mother rushes them toward the departing train. It's push and pull, but in the end, they both find something to stop for.
Reviews
“Beautifully controlled pacing and an immensely satisfying rainbow resolution make this book an effective refutation of frenzied schedules.”
―Kirkus, starred review
“Portis has a gift for creating rich visual narratives for young children; this one will resonate with their caretakers, too.”
―School Library Journal, starred review
“Economy and affection give this story the dimensions of a classic.”
―Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Portis fills her friendly, accessible images with predictive details. Observant children will notice slickers, umbrellas, and other clues of things to come throughout the pages (is that a rainbow pop he points to on the ice-cream truck?), adding richness to this sweet story about appreciating life's simple pleasures.”
―The Horn Book, starred review
“Using only the words "wait" and "hurry," Antoinette Portis perfectly captures the daily tensions involved in getting a small child to school. Where a toddler sees opportunities to meet neighborhood animals and dodge raindrops, his mother sees only obstacles designed to make them late. Parents and children alike will recognize themselves in these pages -- and maybe learn to see the other's point of view in the process.”
―Huffington Post
“…The dichotomy between kid purpose and adult purpose will be a familiar one to adult readers-aloud, and the message comes sweetly and subtly through the little boy, who is more present in the moment than his hurried parent. …Both innovative and joyful, this clever new offering from Portis will charm children and grownups alike with its simple but effective reminder to slow down.”
―The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review
Honors
A Best Book of 2015, Kirkus Reviews
A Best Book of 2015, School Library Journal
BookPage Best Children’s Books 2015
An ALA Notable Book of 2015
Bank Street College best of 2016
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 2015 Blue Ribbon Books
CCBC choice book for 2016
Best Foreign Picture Book Award, Japan School Library Association
Society of Illustrators 2015 Original Art Show
Bullitt County Public Library Best of 2015
Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California 2015 Distinguished Books
Six starred reviews (Horn Book, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Shelf Awareness, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)
Editions
