Waiting Is Not Forever / La Espera No Dura Para Siempre - Paperback

by Elizabeth Verdick (Author), Marieka Heinlen (Illustrator)

Help kids build patience, manage waiting, and turn frustrating moments into opportunities for creativity and calm.

This engaging English-Spanish bilingual picture book that helps children ages 4-7 learn that waiting doesn't have to feel like wasted time. Whether they're waiting for a turn, a special event, or something exciting, kids discover ways to stay calm, positive, and engaged.

Using simple language, relatable examples, and bright illustrations, this reassuring story teaches children how to handle feelings like frustration, boredom, and restlessness. Kids learn practical strategies such as noticing the world around them, using their imagination, creating games, and practicing positive self-talk like "I can be patient."

Part of the award-winning Best Behavior(R) series, this book supports social-emotional learning by helping children develop patience, self-control, and confidence--skills that support success at home, in school, and in social settings.

In this book, children will:

• Learn that waiting is normal and manageable
• Practice patience and delay gratification
• Use creative ways to stay busy without screens
• Replace frustration with positive self-talk
• Build self-control and emotional resilience

Perfect for parents, caregivers, educators, and counselors, this book is ideal for everyday situations like waiting in line, car rides, transitions, or anticipating special events.

Includes a helpful adult section with tips, activities, and strategies to support children in building patience, regulating emotions, and making waiting easier.

Author Biography

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for babies, toddlers, teens, and every age in between. She especially loves creating new board books. The Happy Healthy Baby(R) series is designed to capture the interest of the littlest readers. Elizabeth's Toddler Tools(R) series helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). In the Best Behavior(R) series, she helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn(R) series, which helps kids ages 8-13 get a handle on the social-emotional skills they're developing throughout the elementary and middle school years. She's also coauthor of The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (And Their Parents), which offers kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) their own comprehensive resource for both understanding their condition and finding tools to cope with the challenges they face every day.

Elizabeth lives and writes near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Marieka Heinlen received her BFA at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and also studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.

She launched her career as an award-winning children's book illustrator with Hands Are Not for Hitting and has illustrated all of the books in the Best Behavior(R) and Toddler Tools(R) series. Marieka focuses her work on books and other materials for children, teens, parents, and teachers.

She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband, son, and daughter.