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...
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...
If you hold a seed
MacKay, Elly.
Paper Book
Something magical happens when you plant a dream with a seed. With plenty of love and patience, they can blossom into an extraordinary gift. To be shared with those you love and those with big dreams, this book encourages us to never give up.
The Jelly Bean tree
Yuly, Toni
Paper Book
Jelly Bean the giraffe loves her forest and her friends--even if she's too tall to play on the forest floor. She also loves napping with her head in the trees. But when Mama Bird decides Jelly Bean is the perfect place for her nest, the giraffe suddenly has a big responsibility as she...
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...
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,...
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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