Waiting for Goliath

PreS-Gr 2—This German import is a satisfying blend of a friendship story and a tale about the seasons. Bear is a very patient friend. He arrives at the bus stop in early spring as buds are just sprouting on the tree and the grass is still brown. He tells the birds he is waiting for Goliath, his strong and smart best friend. However, as time passes and the leaves turn brown and fall, the birds tell him that Goliath is not coming. Undeterred, Bear stays as the birds fly south and it starts to snow, and he begins to fall asleep. When Bear awakens, again in the beautiful spring, he hears the sound "like a hand sliding slowly across paper" and knows that Goliath is finally here. As a snail enters the scene, readers finally realize for whom Bear has been waiting. This is a simple and enchanting offering that will have readers anxious to find out what has taken Goliath so long. Photographic and mixed-media illustrations depict see a tree made up of a twig, grass cut and painted from thick paper, and a park bench of cardboard. Little ones will have fun identifying the real-life objects in the spreads as well as pointing out the seasons as they pass.