Waiting is hard. I think we can all universally agree on that. Waiting is especially hard when you are a little kid. This story is all about the waiting struggle. It will not solve the issue or truth that waiting is hard, but I think it helps kids feel seen when you state things like this. Yup, it is hard. Waiting is hard.
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Read Aloud Picture Books about Waiting
1. Waiting is Not Easy
by Mo Willems
This is one of my absolute favorite Mo Willems books. I love the perfect way he describes the pure agony of waiting through his characters and I love how it is so entirely worth it. I do not usually recommend an easy reader for a group storytime, but I’ll make an exception in this case because it’s too perfect and I think it’s amusing readability makes up for the small size.
2. I’ll Wait, Mr. Panda
by Steve Antony
There are a series of books about Mr. Panda. I’m not entirely sure why he’s so grumpy but it’s kind of impossible not to grin when you look at his little scowl. Mr. Panda is making something and one by one all the other animals are curious, but not willing to wait and find out what the surprise is – except for Penguin.
3. The Very Impatient Caterpillar
by Ross Burach
This is one of my favorite picture books to read aloud full stop. It is genius. First of all, it is hilarious. The voice is amazing. Second, it conveys so much nonfiction information about caterpillars changing into butterflies, but all in a completely playful way. It is so fun when kids can learn and laugh out loud at the same time. For the purposes of this storytime, kids will completely understand how the impatient caterpillar is feeling about sitting in his cocoon waiting to become a butterfly. (Note: there is a sequel about the migration of butterflies)
4. Bear Can’t Wait
by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
As with all of Karma Wilson’s Bear stories, this is a fun one to read aloud. The text is rhyming and full of wonderful words. The refrain is of course about waiting. The ending is sweet. A perfect it’s-hard-to-wait read aloud.
5. The Very Patient Gus Davis
by Laurie Trumble Davis
illustrated by Marjorie van Heerden
Waiting is so hard! Gus, the dog, smells his favorite treats but his owner says he has to wait. I think we can all relate to Gus as he tries and sometimes fails to be patient. Dog lovers will have so much fun seeing the day through Gus’s enthusiastic eyes. A well paced, adorable picture book.
Movement Activity: Play Freeze
With all this reading our impatient little storytime listeners will of course have some wiggles. This is a fun little way to get up, move and play with the concept of waiting.
Put on some favorite music and do a freeze dance. Beforehand demonstrate what they should do when the music stops and explain that you’re going to freeze for longer and longer times. You can hold up numbers or count the seconds out loud or just have them wait.
