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Why?: Over 1,111 Answers to Everything
The concept is simple. Got a question? Well now you have an answer! 1,111 of them, in fact. Want to know why your snot is yellow? Flip to the human body chapter. What's on the inside of a turtle shell? The animal section's got you covered. What's in the deepest part of the ocean? Why doesn't Earth just float off into space? Check, check, and check. With hundreds of topics ranging from silly to serious, we've got the expert information you need in a fun and entertaining format that will keep kids digging for answers. Answers include all kinds of fascinating extra info like top ten lists, weird-but-true facts, explorer profiles, and cool activities. Now, go stump your parents!
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2015
40 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Crispin Boyer
37 books64 followersCrispin Boyer lives in San Francisco and writes about history, wildlife, and technology. He and his wife, Ramah, are the lord and lady of a 1914 Victorian that is 700 times smaller than a typical castle but almost as drafty. Their microwave might not roast an ox like most medieval ovens, but at least their bathroom isn't a hole in the wall that empties into a stinky moat.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 6, 2017
Great book !🐓 I love all the facts.
June 28, 2025
Great discussion questions and answers.
August 6, 2024
"Why do I need a mask or goggles to see underwater?
Human eyes have adapted to see clearly in the air, not underwater. When light hits the water, it bends, or refracts, in a way that counteracts the focusing effects of our corneas and lenses Masks and goggles provide a barrier of air between our eyes and the water, resulting in clear vision. Unlike humans and other land- based animals, aquatic creatures evolved to see clearly underwater. The peepers of dolphins and alligators do double duty--they're able to focus above and below the surface."
"Why do we use only 10% of our brains?
It's a reassuring idea for anyone who thinks they have superpowers or hidden artistic talents: We could accomplish amazing feats if we could just tap into our unused reserves of gray matter. It's also a total myth. We use nearly every part of our brain all the time. Even a simple activity like brushing your teeth-walking toward the toothbrush, squeezing out just enough toothpaste, keeping track of which teeth you've cleaned as you brush away-- activates a small electrical storm across your brain as the various lobes, cortices, and cerebellum work together to brush, rinse, spit, and remember to floss. The activity in your brain never stops, even when you sleep."
"Why do baseball and American football players smart black stuff under their eyes?
Before the game, players apply a stripe of 'eye black' grease under each eye to reduce glare from the sun and stadium lights."
Human eyes have adapted to see clearly in the air, not underwater. When light hits the water, it bends, or refracts, in a way that counteracts the focusing effects of our corneas and lenses Masks and goggles provide a barrier of air between our eyes and the water, resulting in clear vision. Unlike humans and other land- based animals, aquatic creatures evolved to see clearly underwater. The peepers of dolphins and alligators do double duty--they're able to focus above and below the surface."
"Why do we use only 10% of our brains?
It's a reassuring idea for anyone who thinks they have superpowers or hidden artistic talents: We could accomplish amazing feats if we could just tap into our unused reserves of gray matter. It's also a total myth. We use nearly every part of our brain all the time. Even a simple activity like brushing your teeth-walking toward the toothbrush, squeezing out just enough toothpaste, keeping track of which teeth you've cleaned as you brush away-- activates a small electrical storm across your brain as the various lobes, cortices, and cerebellum work together to brush, rinse, spit, and remember to floss. The activity in your brain never stops, even when you sleep."
"Why do baseball and American football players smart black stuff under their eyes?
Before the game, players apply a stripe of 'eye black' grease under each eye to reduce glare from the sun and stadium lights."
May 27, 2018
This book, produced by National Geographic Kids, is broken down into seven sections: Why Me? Why on Earth (Earth being the operative word)? Why in the Sky? Why, Where & When, Why-Fi (think technology)? Wild Whys (think animals)? and The Whys of Our Lives.
Within each of these sections, the producers of this book ask: Who? What? Can? How? Why? and more! There are sometimes "Obstacles" to straight answers, as with "Why Can't I Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the Earth?" and there are information [what I would call] side bars, i.e. "Person of Interest," (which shows up frequently throughout the book).
The pages are all very colorful and most entries aka questions and answers are accompanied by a photo or illustration of some type. Occasionally, there are easy to read / understand tables, as well, i.e. Why Do the Prices of Toys, Candy, Cars, and Everything Else Rise Over Time?
At the end is an index, a list of illustration credits, and a list of staff credits.
If you have kids (or adults) who tend to ask a lot of questions about what is what or how things work or sometimes, don't work, I highly recommend this book to them. This could keep them occupied for a long time.
Within each of these sections, the producers of this book ask: Who? What? Can? How? Why? and more! There are sometimes "Obstacles" to straight answers, as with "Why Can't I Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the Earth?" and there are information [what I would call] side bars, i.e. "Person of Interest," (which shows up frequently throughout the book).
The pages are all very colorful and most entries aka questions and answers are accompanied by a photo or illustration of some type. Occasionally, there are easy to read / understand tables, as well, i.e. Why Do the Prices of Toys, Candy, Cars, and Everything Else Rise Over Time?
At the end is an index, a list of illustration credits, and a list of staff credits.
If you have kids (or adults) who tend to ask a lot of questions about what is what or how things work or sometimes, don't work, I highly recommend this book to them. This could keep them occupied for a long time.
December 3, 2020
Really, really good - for what it is. . .
Well organized, informative, entertaining and a fun read. Clearly oriented toward children, but not valueless to adults.
This informative tome could be a sit-down read for a youngster, or could be used as a conversation starter amongst the family at meal times. . . a "did you know / let's discuss" facilitator.
I picked up this book (among others) as an interesting factoid resource to communicate with distant nieces and nephews since the COVID pandemic started. 2 -3 times per week I send them an email with some interesting and entertaining nugget of knowledge on some relatively obscure or interesting topic. It helps us stay connected, passes on a little interesting knowledge they're unlikely to normally get, AND it makes them think I am the most knowledgeable guy on the planet!
$4 at the used book store was a steal!
Well organized, informative, entertaining and a fun read. Clearly oriented toward children, but not valueless to adults.
This informative tome could be a sit-down read for a youngster, or could be used as a conversation starter amongst the family at meal times. . . a "did you know / let's discuss" facilitator.
I picked up this book (among others) as an interesting factoid resource to communicate with distant nieces and nephews since the COVID pandemic started. 2 -3 times per week I send them an email with some interesting and entertaining nugget of knowledge on some relatively obscure or interesting topic. It helps us stay connected, passes on a little interesting knowledge they're unlikely to normally get, AND it makes them think I am the most knowledgeable guy on the planet!
$4 at the used book store was a steal!
March 28, 2018
I am proud of myself for knowing most of this stuff.
December 28, 2019
Great present for an 8-year-old (and his parent). My son can’t put this book down.
May 11, 2020
I remember i’ve enjoyed it a lot when i was i kid:).
The funny thing is adults won’t know most of the stuff.
The funny thing is adults won’t know most of the stuff.
September 9, 2020
It was fine. There were a whole lot of things I already knew, but I did learn some knew things (that I already forgot)
June 10, 2021
Very informative
September 10, 2021
it was very interesting
September 1, 2022
Every curious person's accessible guide to the questions of humanity and the world around us. Great pictures. Easy to read segments. Nothing goes on too long. My kids enjoy it!
March 25, 2023
Great quality, very vivid pages
April 1, 2023
This was a fun to read fact book that answered fun and interesting questions
Read
April 27, 2023I really liked this book because this book told me many fun facts and answers and the words were so easy that I can remember easily.
July 21, 2023
Took a while but very informative
September 12, 2025
My 9 year old boy loved this. Would make a great gift
June 8, 2016
This book, produced by National Geographic Kids, is broken down into seven sections: Why Me? Why on Earth (Earth being the operative word)? Why in the Sky? Why, Where & When, Why-Fi (think technology)? Wild Whys (think animals)? and The Whys of Our Lives.
Within each of these sections, the producers of this book ask: Who? What? Can? How? Why? and more! There are sometimes "Obstacles" to straight answers, as with "Why Can't I Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the Earth?" and there are information [what I would call] side bars, i.e. "Person of Interest," (which shows up frequently throughout the book).
The pages are all very colorful and most entries aka questions and answers are accompanied by a photo or illustration of some type. Occasionally, there are easy to read / understand tables, as well, i.e. Why Do the Prices of Toys, Candy, Cars, and Everything Else Rise Over Time?
At the end is an index, a list of illustration credits, and a list of staff credits.
If you have kids (or adults) who tend to ask a lot of questions about what is what or how things work or sometimes, don't work, I highly recommend this book to them. This could keep them occupied for a long time.
Within each of these sections, the producers of this book ask: Who? What? Can? How? Why? and more! There are sometimes "Obstacles" to straight answers, as with "Why Can't I Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the Earth?" and there are information [what I would call] side bars, i.e. "Person of Interest," (which shows up frequently throughout the book).
The pages are all very colorful and most entries aka questions and answers are accompanied by a photo or illustration of some type. Occasionally, there are easy to read / understand tables, as well, i.e. Why Do the Prices of Toys, Candy, Cars, and Everything Else Rise Over Time?
At the end is an index, a list of illustration credits, and a list of staff credits.
If you have kids (or adults) who tend to ask a lot of questions about what is what or how things work or sometimes, don't work, I highly recommend this book to them. This could keep them occupied for a long time.
January 27, 2016
Why are deserts hot and dry? Why does the Earth have a moon? What are black holes? All the answers to these questions and hundreds more are contained in this AMAZING book that is a must for all children that are curious and want to know the answers to WHY??? My kids are going to love this book and I am sure that I will get quizzed on many of the questions inside this book! It will be awesome to learn about all these things along side my children. This will also be another memorable gift for the kids for Christmas! 5 stars
January 10, 2016
Fantastic book!
March 31, 2016
Huge book, both in size and scope. Topics are separated on the page in colorful boxes and with pictures that make it appealing to kids.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews