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,...
A butterfly is patient
Aston, Dianna Hutts.
Paper Book
From the creators of the award-winning An Egg Is Quiet, A Seed Is Sleepy, and A Rock Is Lively comes this gorgeous and informative introduction to the world of butterflies. Part of the incredible six-book Nature Books series from the...
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,...
If you want to see a whale
Fogliano, Julie.
Paper Book
If you want to see a whale, you will need to know what not to look at. Pink roses, pelicans, possible pirates . . . If you want to see a whale, you have to keep your eyes on the sea, and wait . . . and wait . . . and wait . . . In this quiet and...
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...
Lucy's blooms
Prochovnic, Dawn Babb
Paper Book
A multigenerational story about a young girl who learns from her grandmother about the enduring nature of love, the strength in rejecting labels, and the wisdom in standing with those who are different. Featured in Children's Book Council's Summer 2022 Showcase: Love Makes 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 is perfect...
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.
Tofu takes time
Wu, Helen H.
Paper Book
All good things--and foods--take time, as Lin learns in this beautifully illustrated story about patience, family, and a good home-cooked meal. CLICK CLACK WHIRRRR . . . Lin and her grandma, NaiNai, are making tofu from scratch! When NaiNai goes through each step, from blending soybeans...
The very impatient caterpillar
Burach, Ross
Paper Book
This clever send-up of every child's biggest challenge--being patient!--is a STEM-friendly, laugh-out-loud comedy about metamorphosis. "Will delight fans of Mo Willems's "Pigeon" series... absolutely charming." -- School Library Journal "Super-charged." -- The...
Wait
Portis, Antoinette
Paper Book
As a boy and his mother move quickly through the city, they're drawn to different things. The boy sees a dog, a butterfly, and a hungry duck while his mother rushes them toward the departing train. It's push and pull, but in the end, they both find something to stop for. Acclaimed...
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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