questions ( )

A rabbit follows a bear around, constantly asking "Why?" The bear gives short but patient answers ("Because it tastes good"; "Because I am way too big to fit"; "Gravity") and at last says "I don't know." When winter comes and the bear goes to hibernate, rabbit protests, and it's the bear's turn to ask, "Why?" The rabbit answers, "Because then I would miss my friend."

See also: Just Because by Mac Barnett; Why? by Adam Rex; Bonnie Becker's Bear and Mouse books ( )

I enjoyed this book a lot, It reminds me of a younger sibling or family member that no matter what you do they always want to know "Why?" Rabbit after everything he does or what bear does asks why, because it seems like he may not understand why certain things happen yet. But i like the fact that it depicts a bear being friends with a rabbit, which i can promise does not happen in real life. But it shows no matter how different the two animals are, they can be friends, i think thats deeper message you can teach children from this book. ( )

Perpetually asking "why?," a little rabbit receives answers from his patient ursine friend in this gentle, thought-provoking new picture-book from author/illustrator Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Some questions - why are the birds flying off in formation? why is bear eating honey? - are easy to answer, but others - why has the little redbird died? - are more difficult. Always honest, the bear admits when he doesn't have the answers, and eventually heads for his winter hibernation spot. When the rabbit pleads with him to stay, it is his turn to ask why...

A simple but ultimately thoughtful text is paired with beautiful watercolor artwork in Why?, which highlights the importance both of asking questions and of accepting the fact that we can't always know the answers. This is a difficult idea to grasp sometimes, and not just for children, so kudos to Seeger for exploring it here. The heartwarming ending, in which the friendship between the bear and rabbit is emphasized, allows the reader and listener to close the book with the feeling that, although some things may be uncertain and unknowable, friendship and love can be relied upon. Recommended to young questioners. ( )