While We’re Here
written by Anne Wynter
illustrated by Micha Archer
Clarion Books, 2026. 32 pages.
Review written April 28, 2026, from a library book.
Starred Review
I was completely captivated by this picture book from my first reading – and find myself happily reading it over and over.
First, the artwork is colorful and beautiful. It’s done with collage papers, so everything from the tree trunks to the grass in the park has subtle patterns. Especially highlighted are the red tops and colorful skirts of our featured characters – a Black mother and her young daughter, all dressed up for a party.
In almost the first half of the book, all the spreads begin with the words “Hurry, Hurry.” And several of them end with “We have somewhere to be!” We see the mother is the one doing the hurrying – getting jackets zipped, out the door, on the train, through the park. The little girl, as little girls do, pays attention to the things she sees along the way
But when they get where they’re going – a picnic bench on a hill beside two trees, there are no words except for a HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner. There are some cups left on the picnic table and colored wrapping paper in the trash. There’s a balloon in the tree.
On the next page, the mother is checking her calendar:
Hurry, hurry,
check the date.Yesterday.
Yesterday?
Yes, the little girl is clearly upset. But that’s where all the tension leaves the book. When we turn the page, we read:
We’ll head back home,
but while we’re here,
let’s take turns
rolling down the hill.
From there on out, party balloon in hand, the pair make the most of time together in a wonderful sprawling park, because “we have nowhere to be.” They go under a bridge, watch ducklings in the pond, enjoy sitting under a tree, and more.
And it’s all colorful and beautiful and full of love. Their outdoor time together exudes peace and we know it all adds up to a wonderful day.
This is going on my I’d-love-to-see-get-Caldecott-recognition list for this year.
This book just makes me happy.
annewynter.com
michaarcher.com
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Picture_Books/while_were_here.html
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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