[2] Waiting-for-Spring Stories was the first book written by Bethany Roberts, a children's author from Connecticut,[1][4]: 153 and also one of the earliest stints for Louisiana artist William Joyce as an illustrator.
[5] Waiting-for-Spring Stories was announced as early as September 1983, when a preview illustration by Joyce appeared in a Shreveport Times article on the artist;[6] the book was published a year later by Harper & Row,[2] and became a Junior Literary Guild selection for fall 1984.
"All [of the stories]," wrote SLJ reviewer Blair Christolon, "provide simple pleasure geared to four year olds' attention spans, but they are sure to be enjoyed by second-grade readers because of the easy vocabulary yet mature appearance of the pages.
"[2] Similar sentiments were shared by Stephanie Moeller of Kansas' Manhattan Mercury, who also said, "As delightful as the stories are, my favorite aspect of the book is the illustrations.... Joyce's old-fashioned plates [are] reminiscent of Beatrix Potter, but larger and a bit more colorful.
"[5] Barbara Karlin of the Los Angeles Times called it "a charming read-along picture book" buoyed by "the sweet innocence" of Roberts' tales and the "delightful illustrations" from Joyce.