by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Neal Porter Books / Holiday House, 2019
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4173-0
Ages 2-5
A small rabbit has question after question for a large bear, always simply stated as “Why?” Children must infer the specific question from both the accompanying illustration and the bear’s answer in this story that moves across the seasons. Rabbit asks “Why?” as bear waters flowers (“Because flowers need water to grow.”). “Why?” are geese flying in a V? “Why?” isn’t bear joining rabbit in his hole? Rabbit’s questions are full of wonder and curiosity, but also poignancy, tension (as when rabbit is buffeted by the wind and begins to fall), and sadness (“Why?” when rabbit finds a dead bird. “Sometimes I just don’t’ know why!” Bear replies). Seeger’s story validates so many feelings with so few words. Gorgeous watercolor paintings capture the beauty of the natural world through changing seasons, and the tenderness of rabbit and bear’s relationship. ©2020 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
No comments:
Post a Comment