Badger and Rabbit spend a day together after Badger inquires, “What are you waiting for?” and Rabbit responds, “Wouldn’t you like to know.” Thus begins many rounds of a guessing game as the friends traipse through the woods, spying many wonderful discoveries: field of daisies, deer, a snake, squirrel, mischievous mice and more.
Very young children are often forced to wait, and they’ll greatly enjoy the give and take of these questions and mysterious answers. The illusive thing has a smile, but no legs or tail, and it’s very old and always changing. The day goes by, with seemingly aimless exploring and delights, as the pair get closer and closer to their goal.
“I’m tired. I give up,” Badger laments.
“Don’t give up now,” Rabbit urges. “We waited all day.”
Badger persists with question after question, while Rabbit patiently answers, never giving in to Badger’s pleas for an answer. Finally, as night comes, Badger falls asleep, nearly missing the big surprise.
Scott Menchin’s gentle tale of friendship is a perfect bedtime tale, and Matt Phelan’s pencil and pastel drawings are reminiscent of crayon scribbles, artfully conveying the story’s perfect mix of energy and anticipation with the rewards of patience and fortitude.
