PATIENCE: A SLOW DOWN BOOK

PATIENCE: A SLOW DOWN BOOK by Rachel Williams. Illustrated by Leonie Lord.

In a world traveling at breakneck speed, Rachel Williams brings us a book that reminds us of all the good things in life that take time. They can't be rushed no matter how much we might try and push. Starting with the amount of beats our hearts make in a minute and working through 17 different topics, gradually increasing the time that each topic takes to reach completion, we end with the life cycle of the Galapagos giant tortoise at 100 years. Patience causes us to slow down. Covering topics such as the completion of a dragonfly's metamorphosis, a grizzly bear's hibernation, the formation of a coral reef, etc, each topic helps us see that "good things come to those who wait."

Patience is a 77 page "meaty" picture book. With four pages dedicated to each topic, the first two pages timeline the topic from start to finish. The next two pages put the topic in its natural surroundings. It expands on what type of things are going on around the topic and other facts about it.

Leonie Lord's artwork matches the subject of the book perfectly. Focusing on each topic, the illustrations include pictures of children slowing down and enjoying the beauty and wonder of nature. Completed in muted tones, there is a softness to the pictures that is both relaxing and absorbing to the reader!