Why?
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- £8.99
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- £8.99
Publisher Description
For young readers who always want to know why? . . . especially when there isn't an easy answer.
An ALA Notable Children's Book
A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Title
Two-time Caldecott and Geisel Honoree Laura Vaccaro Seeger weaves a simple story about the unfailingly curious Rabbit-- and his patient friend Bear, who always answers his questions.
Bear just wants to water his flowers, but Rabbit needs to know: why? Bear is looking forward to a peaceful night of stargazing, but all Rabbit cares about is: why?
As spring passes into summer, and Rabbit continues to wonder why?, detailed, lush watercolor illustrations encourage the reader to figure out the reason for each question. Over and over, Bear gives the best answers he can-- until, in the depths of winter, he has no answer to give.
This simple story is a reminder that even when there are no answers for our questions, we can count on trust and love-- and sometimes, that's more than enough.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A little white rabbit is always asking, "Why?" to which his kind, even-tempered bear friend usually has a simple but satisfying response. "Why?" the rabbit asks, watching the bear water a patch of blooms. "Because flowers need water to grow," the bear replies. Seasonal watercolor spreads by Seeger (Blue) are idyllic; the bear, painted in radiant, translucent oranges and browns, is patient but not paternal, which grants the small wiry rabbit a modicum of independence. But when winter arrives and the latter finds a dead cardinal in the snow a startling but beautiful image the refrain suddenly becomes too big for even the massive bear: "I don't know why. Sometimes I just don't know why," it says, trudging away to hibernate. Coming full circle, the rabbit asks its friend to stay ("Why?" the bear asks. "Because then I would miss my friend.... That's why") and patiently keeps watch while the bear sleeps. But the ending feels more flat than uplifting, and readers may not be able to get past rabbit's toddlerlike querying habit to appreciate its fondness for its friend. Ages 4 8.)
