{"product_id":"when-you-have-to-wait-9781250816542","title":"When You Have to Wait","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA mindful, gentle picture book about patience and learning to find beauty in the act of waiting.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSometimes, you have to wait. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFor the line at the public pool on a hot summer day.\u003cbr\u003eFor mom to come home after being away. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFor your legs to grow just a bit longer to ride a new big kid bike. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe seconds drag on... each one feels like forever. Why can't you have it \u003ci\u003enow\u003c\/i\u003e? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut while you wait, you might notice things: a possible new friend who is also in line, why homecoming hugs are extra special, and how beautiful the world is when you're not racing by. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSometimes, when you have to wait, you find the good in the moments between now and later.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMelanie Conklin\u003c\/b\u003e grew up in North Carolina and worked as a product designer before she began her writing career. Her debut middle grade novel, Counting Thyme, is a Bank Street Best Children's Book, winner of the International Literacy Association Teacher's Choice Award, and nominated to four state reading lists. She is also the author of \u003ci\u003eEvery Missing Piece\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eA Perfect Mistake\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eCrushed\u003c\/i\u003e (2024), and her picture book debut, \u003ci\u003eWhen You Have to Wait\u003c\/i\u003e (2023). When she's not writing, Melanie spends her time doodling and dreaming up new ways to be creative. She lives in New Jersey with her family. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eLeah Hong\u003c\/b\u003e spent many of her childhood hours drawing stories, but it wasn't until she had children of her own that she became re-immersed in the world of picture books, and fell in love with them all over again. An art school graduate with a visual arts degree in painting, Leah has worked both as an illustrator and a graphic designer. Her lifelong love of making art and storytelling led her to create her picture book debut, \u003ci\u003eHappy Dreams, Little Bunny. \u003c\/i\u003eShe lives with her family in Vancouver, British Columbia.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Roaring Brook Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50579208143122,"sku":"9781250816542","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a10797a1-98be-411e-bc95-541c87599ff5.jpg?v=1732002364","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/when-you-have-to-wait-9781250816542","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}