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To Make
A stunning picture book ode to the joys of the creative process and the spirit of collaboration. This lyrical story from Danielle Davis and Mags DeRoma is perfect for fans of Kevin Henkes, Gyo Fujikawa, and Julie Fogliano.
To make . . . a cake, a garden, a song, you first gather, then make—and wait. To make a story (like this one), you gather, make, wait.
To make anything—big or small—it will take some time.
You may have to gather more, make more, and wait a little more, but you can create wonderful things if you just gather, make, and wait.
This gorgeous, timeless book gently emphasizes patience as part of the making process and is a fitting book for all homes, classrooms, and makerspaces everywhere.
To make . . . a cake, a garden, a song, you first gather, then make—and wait. To make a story (like this one), you gather, make, wait.
To make anything—big or small—it will take some time.
You may have to gather more, make more, and wait a little more, but you can create wonderful things if you just gather, make, and wait.
This gorgeous, timeless book gently emphasizes patience as part of the making process and is a fitting book for all homes, classrooms, and makerspaces everywhere.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published May 31, 2022
3 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Davis
2 books271 followersDanielle Davis grew up in Singapore and Hong Kong and now lives in Los Angeles. She’s the author of the picture book TO MAKE and the middle grade novel ZINNIA AND THE BEES as well as the upcoming picture books THEIR FEET WERE NOT ON THE EARTH: BREAKIDZ IN GAZA and HERE TO THERE.
She’s also a picture book coach and editor, educator, stop motion animation video producer, and children’s rights advocate at the Rights of Every Child who earned an MA in literature and creative writing and has taught English to middle school and community college students. She's passionate about offering children validation, comfort, and hope in all she does.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writesinla/
She’s also a picture book coach and editor, educator, stop motion animation video producer, and children’s rights advocate at the Rights of Every Child who earned an MA in literature and creative writing and has taught English to middle school and community college students. She's passionate about offering children validation, comfort, and hope in all she does.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writesinla/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 20, 2024
For me, the most interesting part of the book was this disclaimer in tiny print in the verso page indicia:
A NOTE TO PARENTS: This book depicts some activities which may be dangerous for young children to carry out unsupervised. The author, illustrator, and publisher expressly disclaim liability for any resulting injury or damages.
It seems to me this disclaimer could be in almost any children's book (I'm looking at you The Boxcar Children and Where the Wild Things Are.) This book has one child using an oven and another climbing a stepladder, and we get a disclaimer, but in all the Clifford books no one warns us about climbing on the back of a big red dog that's not equipped with seat belts.
As for the rest of the book, it just keeps repeating the words "gather, make, and wait" as if it weren't absolutely silly to include the word "make" in instructions of how to make something. Don't we maybe need to break that middle step down a little bit? Hmmmm? It's like asking your mom how she makes her delicious fudge, and she says, "Oh, just mix up a few things in a bowl." Great plan; thanks, Ma.
A NOTE TO PARENTS: This book depicts some activities which may be dangerous for young children to carry out unsupervised. The author, illustrator, and publisher expressly disclaim liability for any resulting injury or damages.
It seems to me this disclaimer could be in almost any children's book (I'm looking at you The Boxcar Children and Where the Wild Things Are.) This book has one child using an oven and another climbing a stepladder, and we get a disclaimer, but in all the Clifford books no one warns us about climbing on the back of a big red dog that's not equipped with seat belts.
As for the rest of the book, it just keeps repeating the words "gather, make, and wait" as if it weren't absolutely silly to include the word "make" in instructions of how to make something. Don't we maybe need to break that middle step down a little bit? Hmmmm? It's like asking your mom how she makes her delicious fudge, and she says, "Oh, just mix up a few things in a bowl." Great plan; thanks, Ma.
January 13, 2023
One of the many (many) things I'm trying to be more intentional about in my writing craft is leaving space for the illustrator's half (yes, half) of the picture book story. On my blog, I have talked about how weird it feels, as a yet-unpublished picture book author, to have all my very best manuscripts, by their very nature, half-finished. It's an odd feeling, people! But, if you've done it "right," ALL of your written picture book manuscripts will be half-finished until they have an illustrator partner's work on the pages, too.
Anyhow, I was thinking a lot about that....and I think that's why "to make" by Danielle Davis and Mags DeRoma captured my heart when I read it. It's a concept book--about the creative process--so by definition, it's pretty open-ended. The refrain (gather, make, wait) is both specific and universal, and the text is like a drumbeat...not so much telling the story as cheering the reader on like a creative life coach or angel-on-the-shoulder. I don't know what this manuscript's art note situation was when it arrived on Mags's workbench. Still, I can imagine they were few or nonexistent. What Danielle provided to Mags was more of a mood than a narrative, I think it's safe to say.
Still, their collaboration is indeed chockful of narrative. I usually show the opening pages of each book I review, but to prove this point, I want to home in on my favorite spreads. Look how the words lend themselves to setting the stage and how the visuals perform a fully realized play.
Here, we see the text: "To make a story, gather, make..." and we see little hands at work on a mask...but if we look carefully, we'll also see a devious notebook paper plan that winks at the next spread, 
where we, "wait!" Can't you feel the delicious tension here? We have one word but an entire scene...and we, the readers, wait! We know what's coming, and that's the funnest part of a plan like this. I don't want to spoil the story, but I will say we don't see the actual "Boo!" moment. In fact, we move on...to another child, making a friend (in this case, with a bird). But we haven't forgotten our little masked imp, and the last spread of the book rewards us. 
Did the kid in the mask make the story? I think it's clear from the bottom righthand scene...yes. Yes, they did. And we even get a delicious glimpse of the reenactment as they raise their hands in the air as their mother must have done when yelling. So, so great.
What am I saying here? I guess I'm saying words are beautiful. Sometimes, though, they have inner beauty--beauty shown by how the words behave. That behavior, that context, is where the illustrator picks up the story and takes it from a sheet of music to a symphony performance. This book is a beautiful example of what that performance can feel like.
Anyhow, I was thinking a lot about that....and I think that's why "to make" by Danielle Davis and Mags DeRoma captured my heart when I read it. It's a concept book--about the creative process--so by definition, it's pretty open-ended. The refrain (gather, make, wait) is both specific and universal, and the text is like a drumbeat...not so much telling the story as cheering the reader on like a creative life coach or angel-on-the-shoulder. I don't know what this manuscript's art note situation was when it arrived on Mags's workbench. Still, I can imagine they were few or nonexistent. What Danielle provided to Mags was more of a mood than a narrative, I think it's safe to say.
Still, their collaboration is indeed chockful of narrative. I usually show the opening pages of each book I review, but to prove this point, I want to home in on my favorite spreads. Look how the words lend themselves to setting the stage and how the visuals perform a fully realized play.
Here, we see the text: "To make a story, gather, make..." and we see little hands at work on a mask...but if we look carefully, we'll also see a devious notebook paper plan that winks at the next spread, where we, "wait!" Can't you feel the delicious tension here? We have one word but an entire scene...and we, the readers, wait! We know what's coming, and that's the funnest part of a plan like this. I don't want to spoil the story, but I will say we don't see the actual "Boo!" moment. In fact, we move on...to another child, making a friend (in this case, with a bird). But we haven't forgotten our little masked imp, and the last spread of the book rewards us. Did the kid in the mask make the story? I think it's clear from the bottom righthand scene...yes. Yes, they did. And we even get a delicious glimpse of the reenactment as they raise their hands in the air as their mother must have done when yelling. So, so great.
What am I saying here? I guess I'm saying words are beautiful. Sometimes, though, they have inner beauty--beauty shown by how the words behave. That behavior, that context, is where the illustrator picks up the story and takes it from a sheet of music to a symphony performance. This book is a beautiful example of what that performance can feel like.
December 31, 2022
Beautiful. Charming. Instructive. So many kids will see themselves in this one.
August 2, 2022
Inspirational book about making things that take time to come to fruition, but keep on making.
June 5, 2022
TO MAKE is a beautiful picture book which will inspire readers into doing things they may not have considered. I especially appreciate how the author highlights waiting. The practice of patience doesn’t come easy to many. This book will build understanding to what patience is all about.
The simplicity of the text and the thoughtful illustrations will inspire conversations on the many things to gather, make and wait for.
The simplicity of the text and the thoughtful illustrations will inspire conversations on the many things to gather, make and wait for.
September 16, 2022
I appreciate this book for so many reasons. The art is gorgeous. The words are generous. From our repeated read alouds, my 1.5 year old daughter has learned to say the words "Gather. Make. Wait." (Waiting is something we've been working on lately so it's been perfect!) And she even gets the book out for inspiration on things to make. So far we've been inspired from the book to bake, make a nature wind chime, and next we're making masks and planning a party. I love the space this book gives to let your imagination roam, and all the examples of the creative spirit, alive in our every day activities. I've given this book to readers and makers of all ages. Adult creatives adore it, and it's the perfect gift for kids. This book will surely win a bunch of awards!
July 31, 2023
In this celebration of the creative process, kids “gather, make, and wait” as they explore the world of their imaginations. The monotonous drumbeat of the refrain detracts from the message, however, as do the drab illustrations in the first half of the book, which seem more foreboding than inviting as an introduction to the imaginal realm.
June 30, 2022
Sure to delight young readers and old!
The To Make story brings a "simple" yet profound message about the creative process while expressive illustrations invite imagination and fill the text with detail and life. Anticipation for what is coming with every turned page starts right on the title page with a little child about to open a big cupboard. The author's many "making" ideas (one of my favorites is "To make a friend") will springboard children to their own making and the refrains "Keep making" and "Keep waiting" will encourage perseverance as they do. This is a fun and worthy picture book!
The To Make story brings a "simple" yet profound message about the creative process while expressive illustrations invite imagination and fill the text with detail and life. Anticipation for what is coming with every turned page starts right on the title page with a little child about to open a big cupboard. The author's many "making" ideas (one of my favorites is "To make a friend") will springboard children to their own making and the refrains "Keep making" and "Keep waiting" will encourage perseverance as they do. This is a fun and worthy picture book!
May 27, 2022
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher.
In a time where everything is available in an instant, books like this are needed. This beautiful book is full of children not only creating things on their own, but they are waiting for the process to finish naturally. They are trying again and again, learning the importance of resilience and patience. The simple text makes this book easy for all ages to understand and for the lesson to sink in that good things come to those who make and wait.
In a time where everything is available in an instant, books like this are needed. This beautiful book is full of children not only creating things on their own, but they are waiting for the process to finish naturally. They are trying again and again, learning the importance of resilience and patience. The simple text makes this book easy for all ages to understand and for the lesson to sink in that good things come to those who make and wait.
February 25, 2024
This beautifully illustrated book is about the creative process of making things, and how all wonderful things take time. I think this book would be perfect for a classroom for a couple reasons. One, it emphasizes the idea of patience and perseverance. My initial thought was connecting this to Writers Workshop, and how making a story takes time but once finished can be something amazing and great to share with others. Two, this book has great representation and allows children to see themselves doing things they might not of thought they could do.
February 20, 2025
This is a book I wished I had as a child. It's for the inner creative in all of us; the person who loves to save scrap pieces of paper, fabric or even ingredients and wonder what to make with them. We can all 'make' something - what this book does so beautifully is encourage those first steps and allow for the reader to make.
Given the spare and gentle rhythm of the text, this book offers opportunity for all children to be included in the process and that is a win!
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for this review copy.
Given the spare and gentle rhythm of the text, this book offers opportunity for all children to be included in the process and that is a win!
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for this review copy.
August 25, 2022
The repetitive refrain (gather, make, wait) makes it easy to follow along and it's easily adaptable for anything you want to make or create. It also suggests the patience needed to wait until it's ready. The limited text relies heavily on the pictures to tell the story. Sometimes the pictures are a little muddled, but most of the ideas get across. You might need to help your child along or explain some of the ideas in this book for it to make sense to them.
October 10, 2022
This book is great about teaching patience and that anything worth doing or enjoying just takes hard work and time. I absolutely the illustrations in this book in which illustrator said that they used just about everything and the kitchen sink to create the illustrations giving it a charcoal drawing over mixed media art project type of feeling. This book is just feel-good and inspirational when it comes to the art of venturing out and being creative.
February 18, 2024
The repeated pattern of "gather, make, wait" works better for some things - a cake, a garden - than for others - a song? Concerning the illustrations: my husband had to explain what I was looking at on the "To make a friend" page, which is never a good sign. The inspirational message at the end feels tacked on, and I'm not sure I agree with it. I was hoping the book would glorify the creative process in a make things just for the sake of being creative way.
September 21, 2024
This book is lovely. There are few words, but they eloquently tell the story along with the delightful illustrations.
There is a rhyming cadence to the words - gather, make, wait, which are pleasing to the ear. They remind young and old readers, that everything worth doing takes patience and perseverance.
This book is a treasure, and will be read and enjoyed many times over. It could also be soothing and even therapeutic to an impatient or disappointed child.
There is a rhyming cadence to the words - gather, make, wait, which are pleasing to the ear. They remind young and old readers, that everything worth doing takes patience and perseverance.
This book is a treasure, and will be read and enjoyed many times over. It could also be soothing and even therapeutic to an impatient or disappointed child.
June 2, 2022
TO MAKE might just be my new favorite picture book. Gather, make, wait. The words by Danielle Davis are beautiful and inspiring. It's the book I needed now, and I can't wait to share it with the young people in my life. Mags DeRoma brings the text to life with a diverse cast of characters and a touch of magic. I adore the gnome! TO MAKE would make a great end of the year teacher gift!
June 16, 2022
This is such a sweet and charming book, so inspiring for anyone who loves to make and create. I especially love the repetition of "gather, make, wait"--it helps little ones to appreciate making as a process, not just an end result. A wonderful reminder to create without boundaries. Thoughtful, magical words paired with gorgeous illustrations. What a joy to read!
August 24, 2022
Every creative person must read this book. The principles are Gather, Make, Wait. It's wonderful to think about how these apply to anything you make. I love how the illustrations are childlike and hands-on to go with the theme, but not simplistic. Definitely sophisticated and thoughtful. I just loved it!
February 24, 2023
It's a beautiful and magical book. As a maker, this book feels so, so relatable. I'm so excited to see a book which tells the beauty of making things, whatever they're. The waiting part is probably the most challenging but it's worth it. I also love the illustrator, Mags DeRoma's interpretation of the words. She makes it extra magical, all the details, ideas, textures. This book is pure magic!
June 1, 2022
A glorious ode to community, the magic of creativity and the art of collaboration. Readers are also reminded that patience is an important ingredient in any small or big creative endeavor. A beautiful, spirited and inspiring story for readers and makers young and old.
December 8, 2022
How do you make something? Gather, Make, Wait
It's repetitious, but it's the truth!
This is a great way to introduce young ones to the creative process of making things - creative things, food things, friendships, and so much more.
Reviewed from a library copy.
It's repetitious, but it's the truth!
This is a great way to introduce young ones to the creative process of making things - creative things, food things, friendships, and so much more.
Reviewed from a library copy.
August 1, 2023
Simple, repetetive text lend this book to be read aloud, however the slow addition of color to otherwise grayscale pictures required some patience. The light, bright, magical pictures at the end are a sweet reward.
Themes: makers/DIY, creating, imagination
Ages: PreK-1st grade
Pub year: 2022
Themes: makers/DIY, creating, imagination
Ages: PreK-1st grade
Pub year: 2022
October 13, 2023
This is the perfect book for the creative kid who always wants to make things. And framed among all the things in life that we "make" goodies, stories, crafts, even friends, everything takes time and patience but keep going, keep trying, wait, wait, wait! Lovely and refreshing.
December 28, 2023
If you need simple text in story books about how we gather, make, and wait for so many of our life joys, this is for you. When cooking, gardening, creating art, there are simple process steps to remember. Illustrations by Mags DeRoma are lovely.
March 13, 2024
Beautiful, deceptively simple book about the power of creating, and a great launching pad for crafting with toddlers after reading. My storytime gang loved seeing kids making things on their own in the illustrations, esp the child in a wheelchair with the mask peeking 'round the corner!
May 15, 2022
An exuberant celebration of the joys of creativity and collaboration.
June 16, 2022
A very quiet book that feels simple, but is deceptively complicated. Lovely.
June 22, 2022
4 stars for this book that celebrates creating
June 23, 2022
Making, art, gardening, pacing, diverse, meditative
June 27, 2022
Add to your coaching/inspiring toolkit
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews