While We Wait

by Bee Johnson (Author, Illustrator), Karissa Vacker (Narrator)

From the best-selling author of What Can a Mess Make? comes a charming book about a brother and sister who discover the unexpected delights of life's in-between moments while running errands with their mother.

With joyful rhymes and gorgeous illustrations, this book invites listeners to discover beauty in patience and cherish the opportunity of boredom.

Thunder rumbles.
Clouds hang low.
No umbrella!
Where to go?

Speckled sidewalk.
Stormy weather.
While we wait,
we squeeze together.

Filled with the highs and lows of a long day out, this story gently reminds us of the joy in simple moments spent together.

15 mins.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens

1 pages, Audiobook

Published October 6, 2025

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! A gentle reminder of the joy found in simple moments shared together. This charming book captures all the bits of childhood - the highs and lows of everyday life. As a mom, I appreciated how it sparked meaningful conversations and that my kids loved it. Super cute.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners, for sending me over this ARC. The narrator of this audiobook was easy to follow and had a soothing, engaging voice - perfect for little ones. I imagine the illustrations, based on the cover, will be very charming. Highly recommend adding to your child's library at home.

Pub Date Oct 07 2025

As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨

[Samantha Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

While We Wait is a such a sweet and cozy read for bedtime (or anytime)! These two silly siblings spend the day with mom and come up with very creative ways to stay busy and playful. The rhyming narrative adds to the peaceful, silly playfulness of the book. We absolutely loved this one!

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an early copy of this book in exchange for our honest review!

[Taylor Kaphan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two littles and their dad has a schedule that is very inconsistent, which made me I appreciate this book so much! (And made me a little teary) I think it perfectly showed how much goes on in one day and that you might have to wait awhile for dad to come home. AND you can still have fun while you wait.

The illustrations in this book were beautiful and so well done! The detail is top notch. I love them so much.

This will be a book we pick up as soon as it comes out and will read very often!

Thank you NetGalley, Bee Johnson and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an early copy of this book! We loved it.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from Libro.fm. This is very cute!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are always times to wait. Waiting for family members to come home. Waiting to leave. Waiting in line. This book looks at how some kids spend that time waiting. Whether they’re splashing in the water or playing tag. This book is lovely. It has a great cadence and fully rhymes, and the illustrations have a soft hopeful feel that makes the story a lively adventure.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book - more importantly, my kids do too.

The artwork is beautiful and the story is inventive and universal. It's really about kids being kids and making the most of a day that every child goes through.

Also, my kids were so excited to spot the sisters from "What Can a Mess Make" - it was such a great little easter egg for her to include.

[Shan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book! The main thing that I liked about this book was the poetic writing style. The author made use of rhymes and shortened sentences so that this story didn't read so much like a "story", but more like a poem or a song. This style choice also gave the book a nice and comfortable tempo/flow. Additionally, I give a lot of credit to the author for including the rhymes on every page and allowing them to make sense without feeling clunky.
As for the actual meaning of this book, I'm a little bit confused. Is this a book that is about being in the moment? Is it about being patient? Is this book supposed to teach kids to "fill the time", for lack of a better term? I think that making it clear what this book aims to teach or show the reader is essential, and would really help this book come full-circle.
Lastly, I absolutely admired the illustrator's attention to detail, which is apparent throughout this entire book. The illustrations also conveyed the playful and curious moods of the main characters effortlessly, so bravo for that!

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

While We Wait, written and illustrated by Bee Johnson, is a gentle celebration of life’s small, often overlooked moments- the “in-between” times. Scheduled for release on October 7, 2025, this charming picture book is recommended for readers aged 4 to 8 years old.
The story beautifully reminds us that while accomplishments and checked-off to-do lists are memorable, there is joy to be found in the pauses along the way. It honestly depicts the challenges of waiting, including moments when children become frustrated or upset, making the narrative relatable and authentic.
With simple, rhyming phrases and stunning illustrations that carry the story forward, While We Wait is an easy and engaging read. I particularly loved the scenes of friendship blossoming in unexpected places, like making a new friend in line at the post office or a chance encounter with an old friend. These small moments add depth and warmth, illustrating how everyday experiences can enrich our days.
I rated this book 4.5 out of 5 stars (rounded up) and would recommend it to families and educators looking for a thoughtful story about patience, connection, and appreciating life’s quieter moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who doesn't wait well, I could so relate to the children in this story. Illustrations are colorful and lively, capturing details and expressions nicely. Those facial expressions speak for themselves at times. The bouncy text is fun and surely captures the energy of the girls perfectly. I liked that the children weren't pictured as perfect little angels, happy to sit quietly with eyes front and hands crossed quietly in their laps. While it's obvious they aren't always glad to be where they are, places nicely detailed, btw, they show the ability to entertain themselves without needing parental intervention. Heck, they even find a dog to play with. Grin.

There are lots of little details/things to be spied in the illustrations, too. This adds another level to a fun story as children can be on the lookout for such things as, well, not just that puppy, but flowers, toys, and such. There are some fun, unexpected rhymes, too. Thanks #MacmillanChildren'sPublishingGroup and #NetGalley for the early share of this delightful reminder that while we all have to practice our patience at times and waits, it's how you approach it that makes all the difference.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to wait these days, especially without a screen. While We Wait by Bee Johnson uses beautifully detailed illustrations to show how two sisters wait together as their mom runs errands. The girls make friends, pet dogs, try on hats, and listen to music as they tag along on a series of stops. The poetry and flow of the writing is engaging and light. I truly loved the vivid colors and detail of the house, farmer’s market, and diner.

I read this with my 8-year-old son and we loved pointing out the little details together – a broken crayon, a dinosaur magnet, watermelon for sale, and packages on the floor. I will gladly read this one again and again. In a world where instant gratification is available 24/7, While We Wait has a great message: engage with each other, with the outside world, with imagination, with patience, and have fun!

Thanks to the tagged publisher for the gifted ARC!

#WhileWeWait #NetGalley @MacMillanUSA @henryholtbooks #childrensbooks #illustratedchildrensbooks #bookreview #bookstagram #booksta #bookreviewer

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book has colorful, cozy illustrations, and it teaches a nice message about being patient and finding joy in the in-between moments of life. The story follows two sisters, who previously appeared in What Can a Mess Make?, as they run errands with their mother. I didn't like this book as much as its predecessor, and didn't care for the part where the girls play dress-up with merchandise inside a store selling vintage items. The girls don't get in trouble for this on-page, beyond their mom frowning at them when she finds them. That's fine for the story, but I would have appreciated a direct acknowledgment that this isn't how children should behave inside a store.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

👧🏻 review: While reading this cute book, it brought back memories from my early childhood days with my little brother. We used to have such a hectic weekend when my parents would fill all the errands in one day. Our trips to grocery shop, to chitchat with friends while running into them, post office trips etc. We would wait all the time and the piece de resistance, going to ice cream shop or visiting the nearby playground to spend the balance of the day. This book is beautiful—from the colorful and stunning art and illustrations to the poetic ways of making the story fascinating. This is absolutely amazing to be read to little ones and even as a kid at heart middlegrader, I loved it. I know I will be bringing this to the library during my volunteer days to share this with the little ones.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who fondly remembers those seemingly endless errand days with a parent will immediately be transported back to childhood with the whimsical, nostalgic vibes of While We Wait. Two charming young girls spend the day with their mother, going from the farmer's market and post office to the antique shop and local diner. But in the midst of the busy day, they find there's a lot of little things to do and see.

This is an adorable book with equally adorable and vivid illustrations. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read an advanced digital copy courtesy of the publisher
A list of errands on the fridge. Mon and two kids spend the day doing errands but the kid perspective is waiting, waiting, waiting. There's always something to do while they wait. Even rhymes and mutes illustrations make this a joy to read.

[Annie Brechbuhler · Rating 5 out of 5]

While We Wait is a sweet little story about finding joy in everyday moments. We all have times in every day that are mundane, and yet, that is when we can find joy. This book is a beautiful reminder to do that. I would definitely purchase this book.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Precious Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustration was beautiful and I did enjoy the poetic writing style, you could use this book to teach your child or students about rhyming. I did have a hard time trying to understand what was this book was supposed to be about. It seemed a bit all of the place.

Thank you NetGalley & Bee Johnson for the opportunity to read this story.

[Stephanie Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has beautiful illustrations and I really enjoyed the rhyming stanzas that the story consisted of. This book teaches kids about having patience and finding fun while you are waiting and that maybe being bored isn’t so bad.

Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While We Wait (Hardcover)
by Bee Johnson
The audible book is quick and fast paced. Showing the emotion of the kids. The activities of young children while they wait to celebrate. With each extravagant expression of impatience.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the young people I see shopping with a parent are being entertained by a screen instead of interacting with their adult or using their imagination in any way. So I loved this and want this world for them all. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC.

[Rachel Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the author of What Can a Mess Make, this is another slice-of-life book in verse. This one was of particular interest because the little girl in the book reminded me so much of my own kid. Can't wait for this to come out and share with her.

ebook c/o NetGalley