For the child who cherishes their peaceful home and wonders about the wider world, this story beautifully explores different paths and the bonds of family.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is trying to understand why a beloved sibling or friend is restless and wants to leave home for a new adventure like college or a big move. "Waiting for the Evening Star" tells the story of Berty, a young rabbit who loves the quiet, predictable life on his family's Vermont farm in the early 1900s. His older brother, Luddie, however, dreams of the wider world. The story gently follows their bond as they grow up and Luddie eventually leaves to become a soldier. It's a quiet, beautiful book for ages 4 to 7 that validates the feelings of a homebody while also honoring the call to adventure. It provides a comforting way to talk about how people can want different things and how love connects us even when we are far apart.
The core sensitive topic is separation due to war. The approach is very gentle and indirect. Luddie's departure is shown with him in a uniform and boarding a train; there are no depictions of violence, combat, or death. The resolution is hopeful yet ambiguous, as the book ends with Berty waiting, not with Luddie's return confirmed. This secular story focuses on the emotions of the one left behind: love, sadness, and hope.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a sensitive 5 to 7-year-old who is experiencing the impending or recent departure of a loved one (a sibling going to college, a parent deploying, a friend moving away). It is especially suited for the child who, like Berty, is more of a homebody and struggles to understand another's need for change and adventure.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the last few pages where Luddie appears in a soldier's uniform and the year 1917 is mentioned. While the book doesn't require a history lesson, a parent might want to be ready with a simple, age-appropriate explanation for what a soldier does, such as "He went to help people far away." The book can otherwise be read cold. A parent might pick this up after hearing their child say something like, "Why does my sister want to leave us and go to school so far away?" or "I'm sad that daddy has to go away for work." The trigger is a child's confusion and sadness over a loved one's choice to leave the family home.
Age Experience
A younger child (4-5) will connect with the sibling relationship and the simple sadness of a goodbye, focusing on the comforting image of the star. An older child (6-7) will better grasp the historical context, the theme of forging one's own identity, and the quiet poignancy of Berty's long wait.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books about separation, this one uses a specific historical backdrop (pre-WWI America) to tell a universal story. Rosemary Wells' signature warm illustrations create a pastoral, nostalgic atmosphere that softens the heavy topic of war, focusing instead on the enduring love and the quiet strength of waiting for someone to come home.
Read plot summary
This story follows two rabbit brothers, Berty and Luddie, on their Vermont farm between 1909 and 1917. Berty finds deep contentment in the seasonal rhythms of farm life, while his older brother Luddie is filled with wanderlust, fascinated by cars, airplanes, and the world beyond their town. As Luddie grows older, his desire to leave intensifies. The story culminates in 1917 when Luddie enlists in the army to fight in World War I, leaving a sad but proud Berty to wait for his return, watching the evening star they always looked at together.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Berty loved staying on the farm, but his brother Luddie wanted to see the world. Do you ever feel like Berty, who likes things to stay the same, or more like Luddie, who wants new adventures?
2
Berty and Luddie always looked for the evening star together. Why do you think Berty kept looking for it after Luddie left on the train?
3
When Luddie left, the family waved goodbye. Berty felt both sad and proud. Is it possible to feel two different feelings at the same time? Can you think of a time you did?
4
Luddie was excited by new things like automobiles and airplanes. What new things in the world are most exciting to you right now?
