Reviews
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Written by Antje Damm. Translated by Sally-Ann Spencer.
Bear has been sitting and waiting since dawn. "I'm waiting for Goliath. He's my best friend." At last the bus pulls up, but no one gets out. "He'll definitely show up. You'll see!" The robins fly south and the first snow falls. When Bear wakes from a long sleep, he hears a noise like a hand sliding slowly across paper. Goliath is coming!
But Goliath's identity is a big surprise.
This is a warm and surprising story with depth and humour and luminous illustrations.
Recommended by the publisher for Ages 3 - 5 years. We ourselves find it lovely for even grade school children or adults. A timeless, universally touching book.
Hardcover, 32 pages. 10 x 7.8 inches.
Gecko Press, 2017.
About the Author:
Antje Damm is a celebrated children's writer and illustrator who lives in Germany. Her book Ask Me! has been translated into twelve languages and sold more than 170,0000 copies around the world.
"There’s a beautiful luminosity to this book in both the illustrations – photographs of Antje Damm’s dioramic creations – and the text, which celebrates the bond of true friendship." ~ Oh, Baby!
"Pleasingly original, imbued with the colourful variety of the seasons, and with a cosy story to melt the hardest of hearts, this is a book of warm surprises and strong friendships." ~ Lancashire Post
"Bear’s loyalty to and confidence in Goliath are rewarding in themselves, but it’s Damm’s carefully constructed and photographed dioramas that make the book such a charmer … An elegantly understated portrait of patience and faith." ~ Publishers Weekly
"This is a great book of friendship. The illustrations look like paper collages and will encourage children to tell a story with cutting out their characters and putting them in scenes." ~ Youth Services Book Review
"An only seemingly simple but endlessly sweet meditation on patience." ~ Kirkus Reviews
"Spiced with a title akin to the adult philosophical piece Waiting for Godot, will delight picture book readers and parents with vivid, bright color drawings embellishing a story of hope, patience, and friendship." ~ MidWest Book Reviews, USA
"This is a warm and surprising story with depth and humor and luminous illustrations." ~ Best New Picture Books, The Children's Book Review
~ "Children will enjoy the details that show time passing; the pacing here is just right. The art is especially empowering: Creative children may be inspired to cut up their own cardboard and pull out the paints to tell their own stories of friendship." ~ Bookpage
"The illustrations appear part drawing and part prop and part paper-cut out. They are wonderfully unique and charming. A quite wonderful book." ~ Youth Services Book Review
"A gentle but not simple story, Waiting for Goliath celebrates the virtues of patience and loyalty, and the extraordinary illustrations will delight readers both young and old." ~ Booksellers NZ
"Goodness me, what an unexpected delight! I think Triangle may have some competition for my favourite kiddo book of the year, Waiting for Goliath is irresistible!" ~ Very Dark Horse NZ
