A Heartfelt Review of Waiting Is Not Easy! – An Elephant and Piggie Book
As a mom, I relish those sweet bedtime moments, even when they come wrapped in the chaos of bedtime routines. It was during one such moment, while trying to gain my kids’ attention away from the lure of their stuffed animals, that I pulled out Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems. My kids, ages 3 and 5, have recently become obsessed with Elephant Gerald and Piggie, and I was curious to see how they would react to this latest adventure. Spoiler alert: It was an absolute hit!
In Waiting Is Not Easy!, we find Gerald the Elephant, ever the cautious one, grappling with the pangs of anticipation as his best friend, Piggie, can’t contain a delightful surprise she has in store for him. The story unfolds with Gerald’s increasingly dramatic reactions to waiting—building a sense of suspense that kept my kids giggling and engaged. It’s a simple plot, yet profoundly relatable, especially in a household where waiting tends to be the biggest challenge of the day (anyone else in line for the bathroom at the same time?).
Willems’ illustrations are as endearing as his characters. The clean, vibrant colors and expressive faces of Gerald and Piggie add a layer of humor that makes read-alouds fun. My 5-year-old particularly loved mimicking Gerald’s groans of impatience, while my 3-year-old squealed at Piggie’s cheerful disposition. The playful dialogue bubbles turned our reading session into a little performance that had us all laughing. The lighthearted build-up to the surprise left a trace of curiosity in the air, making the book not just a story, but a joyous experience we shared together.
One of my favorite moments was when my curious 3-year-old leaned in close and asked, “What’s the surprise?” As if I had the answer! It prompted a delightful discussion about patience and the excitement that often comes with waiting—not to mention that I may have accidentally revealed a few of our own surprises in the process. “Is it a cupcake? Is it a new toy?” Her enthusiasm reminded me of the wonder that children bring to simple experiences.
If there’s one takeaway from Waiting Is Not Easy!, it’s the tender reminder that some things truly are worth the wait. I’d recommend this gem to parents of kids aged 3 to 6, particularly those who might have little ones struggling with patience (which, let’s be honest, is most of us at some point). It serves both as a source of entertainment and a tool for parents to encourage mindfulness about waiting—a life lesson packaged neatly with humor and charm.
In wrapping this up, I can wholeheartedly say that Waiting Is Not Easy! has earned a beloved spot on our bookshelf. It’s not just a book; it’s become a family favorite that we find ourselves reaching for again and again. And, as I juggle the unpredictable whirlwind of parenting, moments like these with Gerald and Piggie remind me that life’s little surprises are often the sweetest of all.
Get ready for fun with Waiting Is Not Easy! – An Elephant and Piggie Book! >>
