Why?: The Best Ever Question and Answer Book about Nature, Science and the World around You

by Catherine Ripley, Scot Ritchie (Illustrator)

Overview

Everyday childhood activities, such as an excursion to the park, splashing in the bathtub, or fixing a snack in the kitchen, can excite many questions in young children. Why is the sky blue? Why does my stomach g-r-r-owl? Why do cows moo? Curious kids want to know, and no adult has all the answers. The tenth anniversary edition of Why? provides child-friendly explanations for nearly 100 of these everyday mysteries for a whole new generation of children. Why? takes young readers inside the kitchen and out to the park, from the farm to the supermarket, and from bathtime to bedtime. Bright, playful illustrations by Scot Ritchie are the perfect complement, setting the scenes for the common questions that children ask.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781926818009
Publisher:	Owlkids Books
Publication date:	11/01/2010
Edition description:	Tenth Anniversary Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	AD810L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

CATHERINE RIPLEY is a former editor of chickaDEE Magazine as well as the author of several acclaimed children's books. She contributes regularly to children's magazines and lives in Fernie, British Columbia.

SCOT RITCHIE is an award-winning illustrator of more than 30 books for children. He loves to travel and his work has taken him to London, Berlin, and Hawaii. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Table of Contents

Bathtime Questions
- How can hot and cold water run out of the same tap?
- Why do I have to brush my teeth?
- Why do I have to go to the bathroom?
- Where does it go when I flush?
- Animals don't have bathtubs — so how do they stay clean?
- Why is soap so slippery?
- Ow! Why do some shampoos sting my eyes?
- Why do my fingers get so wrinkled in the tub?
- Why does the floor feel colder than the bathmat?
- Why can I draw on the mirror?
- Why is there a funny noise when the water drains away?
- How do towels get dry by morning?
- Bath Bits

Supermarket Questions
- Do the doors open by magic?
- Where do apples come from in winter?
- Why does it smell so good here?
- How does all this food get here?
- What's behind the big doors?
- What holds jelly dessert together?
- Why are some eggs brown and some white?
- How do they make spaghetti look like spaghetti and macaroni look like macaroni?
- What puts the fizz in soda pop?
- Why do my fingers stick to the frozen juice cans?
- Why do some people bring their own bags?
- Supermarket Bits

Nighttime Questions
- Where does the sun go at night?
- Why do a cat's eyes shine in the dark?
- Is there a man in the moon?
- Why do tulips close up at night?
- Why do I yawn when I'm tired?
- Why do stars twinkle?
- Why doesn't that bird fall off the branch?
- What's under my bed?
- Why do I have to sleep?
- Why can't I see just after the light goes out?
- What makes that toy glow in the dark?
- Will I dream tonight?
- Nighttime Bits

Outdoor Questions
- Why does it smell so fresh after it rains?
- Why do worms come out when it's wet?
- Why do dogs sniff everything?
- Ow! How does my cut stop bleeding?
- Why do dandelions turn white and fluffy?
- Why is the sky blue?
- What's that white line in the sky?
- Why do I feel funny when I swing?
- Why do some rocks sparkle?
- Why do birds sing?
- What's a shadow?
- Where do puddles go?
- Outdoor Bits

Kitchen Questions
- Why does my tummy g-r-r-rowl?
- Why does popcorn pop?
- Why are peaches fuzzy?
- Why does dish soap bubble so much?
- How does the fridge keep food cold?
- Why do onions make you cry?
- What makes food sizzle?
- Why does garbage smell?
- Where does glass come from?
- Why do lemons make you pucker?
- Why do ice cubes crack?
- How does blowing on food cool it off?
- Kitchen Bits

Farm Animal Questions
- Why do ducks waddle?
- How does a chick get out of the egg?
- Why does a bunny's fur feel so soft?
- What's a ewe?
- Why are sheep shaved?
- Why do cows moo?
- What are the cows chewing?
- Why do horses swish their tails?
- Why do horses sleep standing up?
- Why do only some goats have horns?
- How do bees make honey?
- Why do pigs roll in the mud?
Farm Bits

Index

Editorial Reviews

Find out why sheep are shaved, why lemons make you pucker, and a bundle of other things in this factual text that answers many questions that young readers often ask. Divided into six sections, there are questions and answers about bath time, the supermarket, nighttime, the outdoors, the kitchen, and farm animals. The answers are logical and easy for young readers to understand. A question about the food in a supermarket has an illustrated diagram of the areas in the back of the store with explanations of the work that is done in each area. One paragraph succinctly explains where glass originates. A table of contents for each section lists the questions and the page numbers and an index is included. Parents will find all the information helpful when children ask some of these hard?to?answer questions. The table of contents makes finding the facts easier, and the text is a good source for both adults to read aloud or for children who are reading independently to discover on their own. The large and abundant illustrations are appealing, similar to cartoons, but done with more artistic style and detail. Picture graphs are included in explanations such as where the sun goes at night. Overall, the text is educational and fun to read. Reviewer: Vicki Foote

Children's Literature - Vicki Foote

Catherine Ripley quenches kids' thirst for knowledge in Why? The Best Ever Question and Answer Book About Nature, Science, and the World Around You illus. by Scot Ritchie. Under the category "Supermarket Questions" comes an explanation of why some eggs are brown and some white ("It depends on the type of chickens that laid them"). "Outdoor," "Bathtime" and "Farm Animal" questions sections are also included. Bright, cartoonish and often humorous illustrations help demonstrate the answers. ( Nov.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

So just exactly why is the sky blue? "Ummmm...," or the conversation ending "I don't know" are typical answers to this and other questions of the pre-school pack. If you're not up to bending your brain around trying to figure out the simple explanations to satisfy your youngsters, let this book do it for you. The answers are not highly technical but are solid enough to provide sufficient information to pacify the inquisitive mind of a typical 3 to 4 year old. The book is broken down into six parts or chapters, each concentrating on a particular everyday theme such as bath time or supermarket questions, for example. Each section answers twelve common questions related to the theme. The theme-related illustrations are appealing and colorful but not overwhelming. Overall, this is a good sturdy book with helpful information. Includes a contents and index page. 2001, Owl, $19.95. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Trina Heidt

Children's Literature

K-Gr 2-What child hasn't wondered about how the fizz gets in soda, why the sky is blue, and innumerable other questions adults cannot always answer? Ripley responds to some of these everyday inquiries without patronizing readers or oversimplifying information. Six sections divide the queries into types: supermarket, nighttime, outdoor, kitchen, etc. Each category is introduced with a picture of a family doing something that might stimulate the questions addressed within the chapter. For example, they go to the fair, buy groceries, cook dinner, and engage in other activities to which most children will relate. The double-page spreads that follow feature a large-print question and its boxed answer superimposed over a colorful illustration. Cartoon drawings portray young, lively children of diverse ethnicities. While some of this material has appeared in Ripley's Why Is Soap So Slippery? (1995), Do the Doors Open by Magic? (1995), Why Do Stars Twinkle? (1996), and Why Do Cows Moo? (1998, all Owl), additional questions have been added and the pictures are new. A useful, interesting, and enjoyable read.-Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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