Anticipation

how many sleeps until . . .

We’re all familiar with the, “are we almost there yet?” feeling, whether it’s Christmas morning, the final destination of a road trip, or the launch party for a new book (raising my hand here).

It starts at a young age and may never go away. Anticipation is half the fun, with all its excitement, even if sometimes it comes with frustration, too. Whether it’s a baby, an ocean wave, a roller coaster dive or a garbage truck, here are some books you can share with kids (and adults) who all know what it’s like to wait.

Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

My three-year-old grandson is obsessed with the garbage truck. He perches on the back of his couch every Tuesday and presses his whole body to the window, watching for it.

Needless to say, he loves Every Monday Mable, and so do I, from the illustrations to the design and bright, cheery colors, it was love from the title page on.

Every Monday Mable drags a chair to her driveway and and waits for the trash truck. He sister thinks it’s dumb, her mom thinks it’s cute, and her dad thinks it’s funny, but none of them join her. When the truck finally appears, it roars and flashes and shines and squeaks and GRABS THE TRASH CAN! Oh, the drama as it lifts and gah-dumps and trash tumbles and the can crashes back down. The truck leaves and Mabel goes back inside, sighing because everyone she knows missed “the best thing in the world.” But did they? Turn the page to see what Mabel doesn’t. Scores of people are waiting for the trash truck, their faces framed by windows, from Grandpa to Pablo to Jenny and Z.Z. and Oona and many more. It’s a fun little twist that makes me wonder how many kiddos across this country are perching on driveways or windowsills, awaiting the big trash day.

Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee

Have you ever been anticipating something that you’re excited about, but it also made you afraid? Roller Coaster starts with a people waiting in line, some visibly nervous and others excited. At the front stands a young girl who seems unsure. Finally, it’s her turn and she reluctantly sits with her brother in the front car. The text spools out slowly, giving us a play by play, upping the tension. The operator rings a bell, and then he releases the brake. The train jerks forward on its tracks . . . S-l-o-w-l-y the train is pulled up the hill by a chain. Clickety, clackity. Clickety, clackity.

Then finally comes the WHOOSH as they crest the hill and the train zips and zooms. The older couple cheers, two large men cringe, and at the front the young girl lifts her arms, a giant smile on her face. The anticipation pays off, and she’s ready to go again, but first . . . she’ll have to wait in line again.

Nine Months by Miranda Paul and Jason Chin

Ohhh, the anticipation of a new baby! We know it well, with a granddaughter due in September. Nine Months has a simple, rhyming text narrating the growth of a baby in utero. Small. Ball. The point of a pin. Then it divides . . . our story begins. Each page also features more technical information. Day seventeen is a fertilized egg, day nineteen a 2-celled zygote, and 12-15 hours later, a 4-celled zygote. Bonus, the illustrations are the actual size starting with the fetus at week 15.

The illustrations juxtapose illustrations of a mom, dad and little girl living life for nine months, alongside detailed drawings of what the developing baby looks like. Finally, finally, grandparents arrive and a baby is born. The last illustration is so, so perfect as the girl inspects her new baby sister with a look of wonder. There’s lots more information in the notes at the back; a satisfying and sweet read.

Just One Wave by Travis Jonker

With simple text, deceptively simple illustrations, and genius tension Just One Wave sets up the anticipation. We’re going to the beach. I want to swim in the waves. Here we are: the beach! Oh no. The ocean is flat. Not a wave in sight. The boy is resilient as his big-eyed baby sister looks on. First he waits and waits, but no wave. Then he tries asking the sea gulls for help, but no dice. He tries scaring up a wave, and luring one by making a sand castle. Alas. The ocean remains calm.

Finally, when it’s time to go, the boy has an idea. He takes a flying leap and splashes his big-eyed baby sister with his own wave, which she loves. What do we do when we wait and wait for something and then it doesn’t turn out the way we had hoped? I love this book’s solution.

Shout-Outs and Celebrations

The first book in my series, The Minor Miracle, won the 2025 Selah Award for Middle Grade fiction!

Debbie Gonzales at PinLit recently wrote about a campaign for my recent release, The Minor Rescue, here and here, and I love her take on marketing:

Before we jump into the what and how, it’s worth anchoring ourselves in the why. Why do we tell stories? Why do we bother shaping platforms with care and intention? Because when we know our 'why,' every pin, board, and piece of content becomes more than marketing—it becomes ministry, connection, and purpose in action.

Thanks for reading this newsletter, my homage to all things kid and kidlit. You can buy my books The Minor Miracle, The Minor Rescue and Her Own Two Feet wherever you find your favorite books.