A story about childhood friendships, anticipation, and the magic moments that arise while you’re waiting for something else to happen. Every year a young boy stays in the same cabin at the beach with his family. And every year his friend Chicken Smith stays in the next cabin over. But this year, something’s different: Chicken Smith hasn’t shown up yet. The boy’s little sister, MaryAnn, keeps trying to get his attention, but he’s too busy remembering all of his adventures with Chicken Smith — and thinking about everything they’re going to do this summer. Is Chicken ever going to show up? And just what has MaryAnn been yelling about? David Mackintosh’s ode to small summer wonders will make readers of all ages open their eyes to the quick, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments happening all around them. Gr 2-4-Time changes things, no matter how much they feel the same. Chicken Smith is the mysterious third character in this story about a boy and his sister at the beach. Every year, their family rents the same cabin, next door to Chicken's cabin, and the two boys go on all kinds of adventures together. This year, though, there is a cobweb in the window and Chicken's bike is missing from the front porch. The unnamed little boy waits for Chicken for most of the book, holding tightly to a shell he found that looks like a whale: a gift for his friend. He ignores his sister's calls to play in the hopes that Chicken will return. Will the boy ever be able to enjoy his vacations again without his friend? Funky, childlike illustrations adorn this book, pairing well with the melancholy text. One page in particular stands out: the text is woven through the frame of a bicycle instead of being presented traditionally. Though its appearance has similarities to the "Lola and Charlie" series, this book is much heavier in content. Readers will sit with the story long after reading it, and will find themselves returning to it again to try to understand it better. VERDICT This story is a perfect read for a child who is experiencing significant change, especially when it involves a friend moving away or otherwise leaving that child's life.-Mary Lanni, Denver Public Libraryα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. As the poignancy of Chicken's nonarrival settles in (readers see a "Summer RENTAL" sign on his cabin), Mackintosh deftly delivers a satisfying conclusion as the narrator and Mary Ann begin to bond. Mackintosh's text perfectly captures the timelessness of childhood summer, and his scribbly illustrations (done in pen, pencil, ink, watercolor, and kraft paper) conjure associations of a child's project sketchbook, the handcrafted look underscored by the old-fashioned-typewriter typeface. Just wonderful. —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Readers will sit with the story long after reading it, and will find themselves returning to it again to try to understand it better. This story is a perfect read for a child who is experiencing significant change, especially when it involves a friend moving away or otherwise leaving that child’s life. —School Library Journal Teals, grays, and blacks dominate Mackintosh’s scratchy, loose-lined illustrations, with pops of yellow and a vivid sunset-red stealing the show toward the end—not to be outdone by the cleverly designed spread of a lighthouse on a hill that, from a distance, resembles a giant whale. Time marches on, and things change. Chicken may not be returning, but the boy’s sister is pretty cool after all. —The Horn Book Waiting for Chicken Smith, written and illustrated by David Mackintosh, is a quirky, touching book that captures the essence of summertime friendships...Innovative visuals and a poignant plot make this story a winner. —BookPage Waiting for Chicken Smith is delightfully written and illustrated and explores childhood friendships, anticipation, disappointment, optimism, and change that leads to unexpected magic and joy. —Reading Eagle (from Kendal Rautzhan's "Books to Borrow") In this sandy, warm tableau of summer, a girl savors the sun-drenched beach while her brother is waiting…to relive last year with his friend Chicken Smith. Mackintosh reminds us to savor the past while creating new memories. —Peter Reynolds, author, Say Something David Mackintosh loves books with pictures in them, flying, visiting cities, and being read to. His picture book Marshall Armstrong Is New to Our School was short-listed for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and long-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal. He lives in London.