WHILE WE WAIT

Two kids entertain themselves throughout a day of errands.

An image of a short to-do list on the refrigerator opens this tale that follows a pair of siblings as they run around town with their parent. Though the list contains just a few items, like buying flowers and a dress, the kids nevertheless seek creative ways to keep from becoming bored: befriending another child at the post office, playing dress-up (and making a mess) at the thrift store, and counting the spots on a puppy while their parent chats with an acquaintance. Occasionally, impatience—or hungry bellies—leads to less productive ways to pass the time, but there are always puddles to splash in after waiting out a quick rainstorm, a warm and welcoming home to come back to, and books to read while dinner is prepared. Bright but mellow illustrations create a calm, engaging domestic environment, with just enough clutter to feel lived in. Simple rhymes keep the story flowing from place to place until the day is done as the kids model both realistic and more idealized, wholesome ways of occupying their time while out and about. Parent and children are brown-skinned; their community is diverse.

A cozy tale of youngsters discovering ways to have fun while also learning the importance of patience.