When Will We Go Back to the Cottage? A Winter Waiting Story is a heartwarming tale that captures the magic of childhood summers, the patience of waiting, and the joy of family traditions. Perfect for young readers and families who treasure their own special summer getaways, this beautifully told story will warm hearts in every season. Harper, age seven, and her energetic five-year-old sister Riley are tired of the long, gray Wisconsin winter. Every morning they check the calendar, sigh at the snow, and dream of warm days at their beloved family cottage on the lake. They miss their climbing tree, the monkey bars Dad built, Grandma’s flower crowns, Grandpa’s fishing trips, and especially Snoopy—their neighbor’s fluffy Shih Tzu who loves sliding into the kiddie pool as much as the children do. But summer feels impossibly far away. Birthdays come and go in the cold, and even an exciting spring trip to Disneyworld can’t quite replace the magic of the lake. To pass the time, the girls build snow forts, play games, read about animals, and look through photo albums of golden summer days. Still, the nightly question remains the same: When will we go back to the cottage? At last, the seasons shift. Buds bloom, birds return, and one magical day the family announces: it’s time to pack for the cottage! From that moment, the story bursts into color and laughter. Harper and Riley rediscover every beloved corner of their summer world—the tree with their initials carved deep, the sparkling dock, their popup tent, the kiddie pool, and of course Snoopy, who has been waiting all year to play. The cottage becomes the center of endless adventures: Friends reunited – Lizzie, Charlie, and Ellison join the sisters for tent sleepovers, paddle board wipeouts, and impromptu sandbar parties. - Grandparent magic – Half-birthday celebrations with flower crowns, homemade cakes, art supplies, and a waterproof camera that captures every splash and smile. - Explorations near and far – canoeing in Minnesota, discovering Door County’s charming towns and beaches, and eating hamburgers delivered by a toy train at a whimsical restaurant. - Cherished traditions – bonfires under the stars, marshmallow “wizardry,” time capsules buried under the climbing tree, and the bittersweet last campfire of summer. Through every page, readers feel the deep rhythm of childhood: waiting, longing, rejoicing, and remembering. By the time Harper and Riley must say goodbye to their cottage, they’ve learned a lesson bigger than summer itself—that every season has its gifts. Winter is for dreaming and planning, spring for hoping and preparing, summer for living in joy, and fall for gratitude. The cottage lives not only at the lake, but also in their hearts, warming them through the coldest days. Themes & Appeal Celebrates family traditions, seasonal rhythms, and sibling bonds - Gentle, nostalgic tone makes it ideal for read-alouds at bedtime - Perfect for families with their own summer cottages, lake cabins, or vacation traditions - Rich sensory details bring children’s experiences—hot chocolate, climbing trees, campfires, birthday crowns—to vivid life With tender storytelling and universal themes, When Will We Go Back to the Cottage? will resonate with children who know the sweetness of summer freedom and the patience of waiting, and with adults who remember their own childhood retreats. It’s a story to revisit every year, reminding families that the best things in life are worth waiting for, worth remembering, and worth cherishing together.