About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts exhibiting 'door-watching' anxiety or expresses a fear that you might forget to pick them up from school. It is a vital tool for validating the very real panic a child feels during those few minutes when the playground clears and their caregiver hasn't arrived. Through the eyes of a young hippo, the story explores the physical and emotional sensations of waiting, while reinforcing the unwavering reliability of parental love. Appropriate for preschoolers through early elementary students, this gentle narrative normalizes the experience of being the last child at school. It shifts the focus from the 'scary' silence of an empty hallway to the supportive presence of other adults, like teachers and school staff. Parents will appreciate how it models a calm resolution, making it an ideal choice for building trust and establishing a safety plan for unexpected delays.
