Waiters in Elevators – written by Dylan Shearsby, illustrated by Dylan Shearsby and Amanda Shearsby
Little Hare (Hardie Grant’s Children’s Publishing), 2026
Elevators in children’s books have an illustrious past and present. From Curious George’s employment in Curious George Takes a Job and Babar’s enjoyment of the big department store conveyance in The Story of Babar, to Ramona Quimby’s imaginary elevator in the episode that I chose for the name of my blog, (link to blog) this form of transportation holds meaning for young readers (two more examples are here and here). An upcoming release from Hardie Grant, (May, 2026) joins this list, not on the ground floor, but right in the middle. Waiters in Elevators, by Dylan Shearsby and Amanda Shearsby, involves a trip to the Hotel Rigatoni, where the long-serving waiters of the title become exasperated by the lack of appreciation shown for their efforts. Zany comedy, along with sensitivity to the workers who make things run, enliven this delightful book.
Hanz and Franz are the waiters. Their names, as well as their appearance, are an homage to slapstick movies of the past. The Hotel Rigatoni residents are right out of classic comics, or the game of Clue, and each one poses an annoyingly urgent problem. Baron Von Pretzel needs his coffee promptly, Lady Spongecake wants her demanding dog to be fed, and the eccentric Professor Tiramisu can only be awakened to the notes of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Even using an efficient form of transportation, Hanz and Franz can never keep up with the incessant requests. The elevator is depicted as a modern marvel, with gears and rapidly moving cars.
But one day, the workers decide they have had enough, and seek a brief moment of respite on the roof, where they are depicted with their backs to the reader, as they look out towards the skyline. Instead of wondering what has sent Hanz and Franz to the very top of the building, the people they serve become angry. Although Hanz had written his letter of resignation, he had not submitted it. Something about these two loyal men motivates them to try one more time to make everyone happy, but this is impossible. They quit, forcing their boss, the concierge, to take over the job. In real life he would probably find non-unionized workers, who feel they have no choice, to do Hanz and Franz’s jobs. Maybe they would find one waiter to do the work of two for less pay. But in Waiters in Elevators, Professor Tiramisu and company finally get the message. Hanz and Franz receive a collective apology, as well as a raise. “They were very happy to be waiters in elevators,” with gratitude finally part of the ride.
Imaginary Elevators 