"Summer market.
Row of stalls.
Pickles. Peaches.
Overalls.
Bucket drummer
makes a beat.
While we wait,
we move our feet."
Remember those days when you had errands to run and you needed to take your young children with you? I don't think mine appreciated it anymore than I did. But, that's parenting. Dad has left a 'to do' list for Mom and the kids while he is away. The kids know there will be a lot of waiting.
Before they leave the house, they need to be sure to take with them all they will need. While they are doing that, Mom is busy looking for a bag that appears to be lost. The waiting results in a raucous game of tag, and they are off. Their first stop is the market; their mother shops while the girls are entertained by a drummer and a dog. It's a perfect time to practice their dance moves.
The post office is next. The line is long and slow. A woman in front of them is busy trying to control an unruly toddler, offering the girls a chance to distract with a flower and funny faces. Once they are on their way again, their mother stops to visit with a friend while the girls keep her dog company. A nearby shop attracts attention with its many miscellaneous marvels; it's the perfect place to find the dress that is on their list.
Finally, it's time to stop for lunch ... another long wait. They are hangry and fall apart. Leaving the diner as the skies open forces them to snuggle up under an awning where they wait until they can cross the street, splashing and stomping as they go. Energy expended, it's time to take a break and read a book at home while Mom prepares soup for supper. After eating, with the 'to do' list done, the girls settle in for the night; Mom falls asleep before finishing her tea.
The detailed, colorful illustrations offer plenty to see as the story is read. They enhance the rhythmic storytelling with images that offer hints about the children, their family life and the place they call home. Even while completing their errands, and spending a lot of their time waiting, kids can find happy moments that distract from the drudgery. This is a great reminder of that.
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