Crisp color photographs show a preschool-aged African American boy at home during the day, waiting for his sister Sarah to come home from school. Jonathan can be momentarily distracted by tree trimmers outside, the arrival of the morning mail, and a passing garbage truck, but Sarah is never far from his mind as he awaits her return. Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard’s perfectly paced first-person text expresses Jonathan’s anticipation through childlike questions and repitition. Her use of onomatopoeia also adds to the ambiance of the story, as well as to the pleasure of yougn listeners. (Ages 2-5)

Bang-Whirr-Whirr-Crunch. Clip-Clip-Trrrr-Crcrick. Flip-Flap-Plop. What wonderful noises the garbage truck and the tree trimmers and the mail carrier make! But what Jonathan really wants to hear is the telltale Vrrom-Chug-Chug of the big yellow bus that will bring his best playmate, big sister Sarah. home from school. Energized collaborators Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard and Nina Crews get right to the heart of a young child's concerns in this sunny, photographic ode to anticipation, patience, and yes -- noise!