Did You Burp? How to ask questions ... Or not! Written by April Pulley Sayre and illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2019. $21.99 ages 7 and up

"Certain words help make
questions.

The word "who"
helps form questions about
people. Usually, the answer
is a person or group of people.

"When" asks about time. The
answer might be a year, a month, a day ... "

As someone who spent a number of years teaching kindergarten children, I have many stories to share about the questions they ask. It's whatever comes to mind, and those questions are rarely about the topic at hand. No matter how one tries to direct attention to the current conversation, any small diversion will have them veering off to make unexpected connections. A conversation about a baby can lead to diapers, the color orange and Halloween without any delay in conversation. I wish I had saved more of them.

So, having a book that describes questions and how they are used is sure to be a winner with both teachers and children. The first page shows a group of diverse question-asking kids and shows some of the questions that MIGHT come up on a visit to the beach. Or, perhaps not! There are crabs and tides, but there are also lost glasses and a series of questions about the new school year and teachers.

Each new page shows a group of friends talking about using questions: for information, for helping with needs, for encouraging curiosity and learning how to do something new. There are many, many ways to ask meaningful questions:

"Questions can show that you care about another 
person. You are interested in what they think,
feel, know and do.

Would you like some help? 
What are you doing? 
Aren't you cold? 
Is that a walrus? How long 
did it take to make? 
Do you like it? 
Do you know if walruses 
have ears?"

This scene shows eight children playing in the snow in different areas of the school playground. If you spend time with children, you know it is their way of learning about the world, both near and far. Each of the scenarios presented here happen at school ... the perfect place for learning the value of questioning. One can only hope that little ones take note and begin to formulate the questions that will help them get real and useful answers. It is a very important skill to have.

In the end, Ms. Sayre offers invaluable advice:

"Questions are the beginning of learning about the world. 

So be brave. Be bold.
Ask questions!"