Relationships define this slice-of-life picture book about four young children and their diverse families. Schwartz's gouache and pen-and-ink illustrations revel in capturing homey, domestic details and characters' gestures and movements. The three-part structure opens with a page of vignettes introducing the waiting children-William on his front stoop, Annie in her backyard, and Thomas in his house. William gives passersby clues about the "special," "warm," "amazing" thing he's waiting for. Guesses in response provide humor, and Papa's arrival as the awaited "something" comes as a sweet surprise. Next, Annie's anticipation of her friend Eddie's visit is fraught with anxiety over why he's late; when Eddie finally arrives, he reveals that he's been equally worried while waiting for her. (Endpapers depict their houses practically on top of each other, so all that worry was for naught.) Finally, Thomas and his grandma await the return of his parents with a new baby sibling, and he spends the time thinking up creative, flowery names for a little sister.

This makes the homecoming of baby boy John another surprise in this set of stories with little twists. The book closes with a neighborhood play date in the park that ends with anticipation of more good times together.