Why Ask

8/13/2019

Why by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Why? Why? Why?

Why?
Is there an adult who has not been on the receiving end of the one-word question that is frequently posited by youngsters?

Vaccaro Seeger considers a youngster’s desire to understand the world by asking incessant questions.This picture book breaks with the conventional querying child trope, taking an unexpected story path.

Title page features a frisky young bunny, scampering after a lumbering old bear. Successive pages follow the rabbit as it observes the bear engaging in simple activities: watering flowers, viewing the stars, stopping for a snack. Always rabbit asks "Why?' The massive friend patiently responds to each query with a gentle explanation.

Time passes. Seasons change. The questions persist.

At this point, the story structure shifts.
For rabbit's latest question, there is no definitive answer. Bear responds.

"I don't know why.
Sometimes I just don't know why!"

The bear moves on and rabbit is silent. Now it is bear's turn to stop and inquire. A two-page spread zooms in for a close-up as treasured friends regard one another, pausing to reflect on an answer. It's a tender moment.

Vaccaro Seeger eschews the flat color and the figures defined by solid outlines featured in her earlier books and opts for a softer watercolor approach. This style perfectly suits the subject. Text and image work in tandem to tell the story. Earth and sky have equal importance. Readers will watch for hints of seasonal change. Expressive bodies and faces of the two animals are eloquent and laden with emotion.

This is one of those books that will find a permanent place on nightstands. One anticipates that well-worn and loved copies of Why? will be found in countless homes as generations of children and adults find quiet joy in this classic.