Patience

Slow down, take a breath, and turn the page. This picture book list celebrates stories that help young children explore patience—waiting their turn, sticking with something tricky, and learning that good things often take time.

Updated January 20, 2026
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Bear can't wait
Wilson, Karma
Paper Book
Bear tries his best to be patient in this newest addition to the bestselling Bear Books series. Patience might be a virtue but waiting is so hard! On a beautiful sunny afternoon, Bear can't sit still because he's got a surprise planned for his good friend Hare. He hustles and...
Bilal cooks daal
Saeed, Aisha
Paper Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book 2019 Six-year-old Bilal introduces his friends to his favorite dish--daal!--in this charming picture book that showcases the value of patience, teamwork,...
Everyone gets a turn
Dubuc, Marianne
Paper Book
A lovely and heartwarming illustrated children's book about friendship, taking turns, and caring for one another by award-winning author Marianne Dubuc. Beloved children's book author and illustrator Marianne Dubuc chronicles the adventure and collaboration that...
How many sleeps 'til my birthday?
Sperring, Mark
Paper Book
Little Pip is so excited for his birthday! "WAKE UP!" he exclaims to Daddy Grizzle. Today is a very special day... because today is my birthday!" But Daddy Grizzle tells him that it's not his special day yet. "There are still THREE whole sleeps 'til your birthday." Little Pip wonders how he'll ever...
I'll wait, Mr. Panda
Antony, Steve
Paper Book
Mr. Panda shows that good things come to those who wait!Mr. Panda from Steve Antony's bestselling, funny manners book Please, Mr. Panda is back!This time, Mr. Panda's black-and-white animal friends are curious what he's making, but only one has the patience to stick around. An...
Ice cream face
Sheffield, Heidi Woodward
Paper Book
The Ezra Jack Keats Award-winning creator of Brick by Brick brings to delicious life the anxiety and elation involved in waiting in line to get ice cream. As far as this ice-cream-loving kid is concerned, every meal should include ice cream. In any form, in every flavor,...
Just one more sleep : all good things come to those who wait ... and wait ... and wait
Curtis, Jamie Lee
Paper Book
In a celebration of delayed gratification, New York Times bestselling duo Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell give readers a new self-help book for kids that explains why waiting can be wonderful-and can give you a reason to cheer all year round, from New Year's Day to Kwanzaa, and all the...
The magical yet
DiTerlizzi, Angela
Paper Book
This Yet finds a way, even when you don't, And, Yet knows you will, when you think you won't. Each of us, from the day we're born, is accompanied by a special companion-the Yet. Can't tie your shoes? Yet! Can't ride a bike? Yet! Can't play the bassoon? Don't worry, Yet is there to help you out. Told...
Monkey on the run
Timmers, Leo
Paper Book
Papa Monkey and Little Monkey are on their way. But the street is very busy and they are moving so slowly! Little Monkey loses patience and jumps onto the fire engine. Up the ladder from there and he joins a TV crew! Then the garbage truck, an aquarium bus, a food cart for rabbits packed with...
My parents won't stop talking!
Hunsinger, Emma
Paper Book
A child's plans are ruined when her parents have the gall to stop to talk to the neighbors in My Parents Won't Stop Talking!, a laugh-out-loud picture book about patience by Emma Hunsinger and Tillie Walden. It's time to go to the park, and Molly can't wait! It's going...
Old Rock (is not boring)
Pilutti, Deb
Paper Book
Quirky charm infuses this tale of Old Rock's life story, which is much more exciting than you'd expect. Old Rock has been sitting in the same spot in the pine forest for as long as anyone can remember. Spotted Beetle, Tall Pine, and Hummingbird think just sitting there must be...
Penny and her sled
Henkes, Kevin
Paper Book
"A gentle story of patience."--Horn Book (starred review) Caldecott Medal-winner Kevin Henkes's award-winning and bestselling mouse, Penny, stars in an irresistible story about anticipation, disappointment, and a brand-new sled. Told in five short chapters, Penny and Her Sled...
The power of yet
Cocca-Leffler, Maryann
Paper Book
"I can't do it!" "Can't do it yet." This charming picture book tells the story of one small piglet who uses the Power of Yet to conquer frustration. While it may not be possible to perfectly flip pancakes or play the violin yet, with practice and patience and courage and grit,...
I really want the cake
Philip, Simon
Paper Book
For fans of laugh-out-loud, mischievous storytime favorites like Pig the Pug, No, David!, and Dragons Love Tacos comes a deliciously funny story about trying to resist one of life's biggest temptations... CAKE!Everyone knows the feeling.First you smell it, then you see it...
Straw
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse
Paper Book
Meet Straw! He's always rushed straight to the finish. But when his speedy streak gets the best of him, it takes a friend to show Straw how to drink in the amazing world around him. A companion to Spoon and Chopsticks, this delightful story celebrates the joys of taking it slow.
The very impatient caterpillar
Burach, Ross
Paper Book
"A caterpillar learns to be patient while trying to metamorphosize."--Provided by publisher.
Waiting is not easy!
Willems, Mo
Paper Book
Mo Willems, award-winning, New York Times best-selling creator of The Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and Unlimited Squirrels, presents best friends Elephant Gerald and Piggie.   Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald...
When you have to wait
Conklin, Melanie
Paper Book
A mindful, gentle picture book about patience and learning to find beauty in the act of waiting. Sometimes, you have to wait. For the line at the public pool on a hot summer day. For mom to come home after being away. For your legs to grow just...

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