This is undoubtedly the perfect picture book for small children wanting to hear the story of their coming-to-be. And, given the many times they ask to hear it, it is also the perfect book for their parents. As one mother tells her young child, "the waiting" began in winter when the bears were in their dens. It continued as pond ice melted and daffodils sprouted; as ducklings hatched and cherry trees blossomed. It lasted through summer thunderstorms and raspberry-picking season. And it ended only when squirrels started to gather their nuts and geese rose to fly south.