"Why?
Why?
Why?
I don't know why.
Sometimes I just don't
know why!"
Sometimes the very best illustrated books say so little; yet, they say so much! That has been the case with Laura Vaccaro Singer since I Had a Rooster (2001). I began acquiring each new book since then and continue to this day. I am delighted to share Why? with you today.
We know toddlers and how they learn about the world around them. They ask questions, then follow our answers with another question ... often that question is why. There are times when an answer seems impossible. Here, she shows us how that happens. Any fan of Ms. Seeger knows how much she admires little ones and their ability to learn, to reason, and to seek answers to their questions. She gets right to the heart and soul of them.
We meet rabbit and bear immediately. Bear is busy at work, watering the flowers. The rabbit is curious and wants to know why. Bear has a ready answer. Throughout their days together, reasonable questions and patient answers flow back and forth. Rabbit says nothing but why. Bear has a ready answer each time. Only by carefully considering the telling artwork, does the listener understand what causes the rabbit to ask. The questions are asked and answered until the rabbit notices a dead bird. In that instance, the bear has no answer. It is a truly poignant and beautifully delivered moment. Then, the tables turn and their story comes full circle.
What love these friends share. Their story is comforting and inspired. My granddaughters are going to love it, as I do.
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