Wonder Why: An Enchanting Picture Book in Verse About Nature for Curious Kids

by Lisa Varchol Perron, Nik Henderson (illustrator)

Giant sky, brightest blue,

like an artist painted you.

How I wonder, wonder why,

why are you so blue, big sky?


Enchanting and educational! This picture book takes the young reader through the arc of the day and answers “Why?” in beautiful verse that begs to be read aloud. Pitch-perfect rhyming text from author Lisa Varchol Perron and stunning illustrations from rising-star Nik Henderson combine in an incredible picture book for children to treasure.

Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue or why thunder crackles in the night? Wonder Why takes the curious young reader through the arc of a day--from blue skies to rain and thunder, a rainbow, and finally nighttime. Each stanza poses a “wonder why” question that is answered simply and accurately in a beautiful verse. The story begs for reading aloud and repeated readings. Young readers will be encouraged to be curious about the natural world around them…and to ask “Why." Back matter gives additional information on the elements.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Science, Stem, Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Stephanie Lucianovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely rhyming book answers some of the biggest "why?" questions that come from children and that adults often struggle to answer simply and succinctly. Perfect for classroom and home use, gorgeous art enhances the answers to the weather whys with shimmering color and texture. Destined to be a classic for years to come.

[Cedar Pruitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think anyone could improve on this beautiful STEAM book. Author Lisa Perron has tightly woven a rhyme that feels easy to both read and say, and constructed it as a dialogue between a curious reader and an answering natural force that provides scientifically accurate answers -- which are simply stated. She chose the biggest questions: What is wind? Why is the sky blue? Why are loud storms so scary? She makes everything seem both less mysterious and more amazing. It's just perfect.

As if it weren't enough for a book to slip along on a balanced, satisfying rhythm that embraces both wonder and science, the art by Nik Henderson is gorgeous. How do you hint that what appears to be a blue sky is "Scattered rays of sun/ many colors, not just one"? Henderson knows, and he makes it make sense. He also brings us wind in tremendous, sensory sweeps; I could almost feel the laundry vibrating on the line as I read, "Pressure! That's what makes me blow./ Cool air moves from high to low,/rushing in when warm air rises./ Whoosh. I'm full of fun surprises!"

Bring on the wonder, bring on the science, and bring on the art! This book is a must-buy!

[Nathan Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book to spark curiosity about the natural world. The rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud, and the questions about things like clouds, rain, and rainbows will really get kids thinking. The illustrations are stunning—bright, vivid, and painterly. Perfect for any kid who loves to ask why!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What starts off as a beautiful morning turns windy, then cloudy, and soon there's a storm with lightning and thunder and rain. The child wonders, why?
Told in rhyme, this educational story is richly illustrated and includes back matter with further descriptions of why we have weather, as well as a bibliography. It would be a fun read aloud for a frightened child during a storm, or also could be used as part of a weather unit in a classroom.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations present children asking questions about the natural world, with rhyming replies from the perspective of thunderstorms, wind, clouds, and so forth.

[Audrey Day-Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa has a gift for making science sing. Wonder Why imparts knowledge in such a beautiful way, it's a book you'll read over and over again, long after you understand why the sky is blue, or why rain falls. Nik Henderson's illustrations perfectly capture the tone of the book. Chef's kiss!

[Lindsay Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

In perfect rhyme, this book asks and answers the most common questions people ask about the sky. From the sky's blue hue to why wind blows and storms form, the book gives informative, STEM-based information in a format that's easily digestible for young readers. It's a read-aloud delight.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read for all curious little ones! The warm lyrical text goes perfectly with the bright and bold illustrations. I found myself lingering on each page to take every detail in, truly wonderful. Highly recommend!

[Sabrina Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely book about the weather and ways it is created confess to the reader in a sweet rhyming melody
I love the illustrations because it's more story line then hard non fiction.
I'm a weather watcher so loved this one

[Elizabeth E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are stunning and intriguing and just as creative as the words they complement. I love the back-and-forth conversation feel of the text and how each element of nature is personified.

[Kelly Crull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pardon the pun, but this book is wonderful! It will appeal to
curious kids that always ask why.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely book is written as poetic questions about the sky, the clouds, the rain & rainbows, and each wondering question is answered with a lyrical, simple scientific explanation.

[Nell Cross Beckerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has something for everyone—poetry for the language lovers, science for the nature lovers, and spectacular illustration for the art lovers. With set up questions answered by turning the page, this book is an engaging read. Highly recommended!

[Jenna Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous offering from Perron! Wonder Why delivers STEM topics with perfect rhyme and beautiful artwork by Henderson. A child speaks with different natural phenomena about why they do what they do, and each replies with a child friendly explanation. I love how the child converses with the sky, the raincloud, the thunder, and more, bringing each one to life. My favorite spread is of the sky explaining why it appears blue to the human eye. The colors and layers of the spread are so lovely, I want a framed print! Perron also includes helpful backmatter that further explains each natural phenomena that the child encountered. This book will inspire curious young readers to go out and seek answers to all of their “why’s”!

[Diana Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Beautifully worded stanzas written in perfect meter with rich illustrations to match. I love the format of asking a question and then having the object/phenomenon itself answer on the next page. For example, here is what a raincloud answers when asked why it looks dark and gloomy:

"Gloomy? I’m not sad at all!
Just full of droplets set to fall.
My thickness blocks the streaming light,
disguising afternoon as night."

Both lyrical and informative with lots of extra information in the back matter. Great for classrooms as well as one-on-one sharing. Every kid goes through a phase where they are constantly asking "why" about everything. Here are some well-worded, poetic answers to help them understand their world and get them thinking even more!

[Rebecca Gardyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perennial question “Why is the sky blue?” is just the spark that ignites this breathtaking picture book that celebrates childhood wonderment. Told in a question-and-answer format, a child asks questions directly to each natural element (wind, clouds, thunder, rain, etc.) about why or how it exists in the world. The natural element answers the child back in elegant, respectful, scientific accuracy. Back matter includes additional information for more advanced and curious readers. Mr. Henderson’s gorgeous illustrations accompany Ms. Perron’s perfectly rhymed verse throughout. I wonder why anyone would let this book pass them by. It’s absolutely perfect for any inquisitive child.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonder Why is a lyrical celebration of a child’s natural impulse to ask about the world. Lisa Varchol Perron’s poetic question-and-answer format gently acknowledges childhood perceptions while explaining natural phenomena in clear, easy-to-understand language. Nik Henderson’s bold, imaginative illustrations beautifully complement the text, taking readers through a kaleidoscope of color and mood. This will be a valuable addition to my nature preschool classroom to introduce STEM concepts such as color, light, weather, and the water cycle. Most importantly, Wonder Why affirms the value—and the joy—of wonder itself!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rhyming, question and answer picture book will appeal to curious young readers. Why is the sky blue? Why does the wind blow? Children have many questions about the natural world. Various phenomena are depicted across full-page spreads. One page poses a reason for wondering why, the next gives a short explanation. The information presented is simple but accurate. The book ends with encouragement to keep asking questions. Back matter includes more about the "why" behind each answer and a bibliography. Wonder Why will inspire young scientists in their search for answers.

Recommended for grades K-2.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful poetry. A girl asks a question about how and why nature does something in four lines and then nature answer back the answer in four rhyming lines. Wonderful work with words.

Questions like, What is thunder scary and why are rainbows across the sky. The answers are at a level kids can understand.

The artwork doesn't say, but it looks painted and possible multi media as well. I love the colors and the art itself is wonderful. The kids look like they are made from construction paper, but otherwise, it's so pretty. Another great work of art in book form.

This is great for young kids. The poetry helps put your mind in a place of contemplation.

[Jessica Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is a treat for the eyes and ears. Lisa Perron’s rhyming text is flawless and fun. Nik Henderson’s illustrations are vivid, exciting, and expertly convey energy and emotion. Aside from the perfect union of words and art, this lovely book also teaches young listeners about the science of the skies. Why are skies blue? Why does scary thunder rumble? Why does a rainbow stretch across the sky in an arc? Simple and clear explanations are given in the rhyming text and there is additional information as well as a bibliography in the back for further exploration!

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeously illustrated book takes readers through a day of questions and answers, inviting children to Wonder Why about the natural world. A storm brings a wonderful natural arc to this story, as a dreamy question about why the sky is blue leads to wondering why the clouds are so gloomy, to imploring why thunder would try to terrify, with each answer provide knowledge in a way that reassures and comforts. Lisa Varchol Perron brilliantly distills complex scientific ideas into easy-to-understand chunks of information for young kids...and she does it in perfect rhyme! Brilliant!

[Leslie Barnard Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and beautiful rhyming text explore a child's questions about nature and weather while following the arc of a day, from blue sky to stormy night. Wonder Why makes for a wonder-filled read aloud, perfect for sharing with curious kids. Children are sure to respond with their own questions about the world around them, leading to further discussion and exploration. Highly recommend!

[Katie Furze · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poetic exploration of weather science. This lovely book is structured in a question-and-answer format with delightful rhyming text and gorgeously expressive illustrations. Perron’s meter is impeccable, the lines are fun to read and informative at the same time – which is no easy task. I’m a big fan of Henderson’s vibrant, textured illustrations. The backmatter provides further information on weather science. Highly recommended for young readers.

[Caroline Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a delightful book! Lisa Varchol Perron masterfully weaves answers to some of kids' most burning questions—why is the sky blue? Why does thunder sound so scary?—into a wonderful rhyming text that merits many repeat reads. Nik Henderson's art is beautiful, giving the book a standout aesthetic that also makes this a highly giftable title. A five-star recommendation for this fabulous addition to any home, school or library collection!

[Megan Clendenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

With beautiful, lyrical, rhyming text, author Lisa Varchol Perron explores the beauty and mystery of nature in a kid-appealing story that will have readers outside wondering why! I loved the question/answer form, with a child character asking and nature responding. Kids won’t realize how much they are learning about the world, from rainstorms to rainbows and more! The illustrations by Nik Henderson are stunning.

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book is for every kid who has ever wondered why the sky is blue, why the rain falls, why thunder and lightning happen, and more. Told in succinct rhyming verse, the lyrical text and dramatic illustrations combine to make a compelling read, and will spark readers to investigate their own wonderings. Back matter includes further explanation for the phenomenon described in the book. A lovely introduction to the very beginning of the scientific process - wondering 'why.'

[Christina Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and delightful rhyme make this book a wonder! It challenges us to wonder why the sky is blue, the thunder cracks, the rainbow arcs across the sky, and then answers the questions in the voice of each of those magnificent things with scientific, kid friendly reasons. This would be a joyful, re-readable addition to every kid's bookshelf.

[Meneka Repka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important and engaging book to help curious young readers understand the “why” behind many things they may wonder about in the sky, the air, and “all around us everywhere.” Lisa Perron’s fun rhymes will help spark interest in the natural world, and Nik Henderson’s gorgeous, textural art allows us to imagine all the wonderful elements that connect us to the earth.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vibrant and textured exploration of nature's elements such as lightening, storms, and rainbows. I love how the story starts off with a child talking to nature and nature answering. Told in lovely rhyme, the story is sure to keep readers curious and feeling connected to nature. With expanded back matter, it would make a great addition to school libraries, too!

[Nora Nickum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breezy, rhyming read-aloud that mixes whimsy with clear answers to questions many kids might ask--about wind, rainbows, thunder, and more. I'm amazed at how much information is skillfully tucked into very brief lines--all while rhyming and being really digestible! The art is colorful and moody and wonderful.