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Why?
Why? Why? Why?
asks Rabbit. Bear answers patiently . . . except sometimes, Bear just doesn't know why.
Two-time Caldecott and Geisel Honoree Laura Vaccaro Seeger tells a disarmingly simple story about the lovable characters Bear and the unfailingly curious Rabbit.
Bear just wants to water his flowers, but Rabbit needs to know: why? Bear is looking forward to a peaceful night of stargazing, but all Rabbit cares about is: why?
As the two friends spend time together through spring, summer, and into fall, Rabbit persistently and simply asks Bear why, encouraging the reader to figure out for themselves the reason for each question that Bear patiently answers, over and over again. . . until there's a questions that he has no answer for.
In this beautifully produced, tactile book with hugely expressive characters, Laura Vaccaro Seeger both departs from her signature style by dabbling for the first time in watercolor and creates a simple and engaging story with big emotional impact.
Two-time Caldecott and Geisel Honoree Laura Vaccaro Seeger tells a disarmingly simple story about the lovable characters Bear and the unfailingly curious Rabbit.
Bear just wants to water his flowers, but Rabbit needs to know: why? Bear is looking forward to a peaceful night of stargazing, but all Rabbit cares about is: why?
As the two friends spend time together through spring, summer, and into fall, Rabbit persistently and simply asks Bear why, encouraging the reader to figure out for themselves the reason for each question that Bear patiently answers, over and over again. . . until there's a questions that he has no answer for.
In this beautifully produced, tactile book with hugely expressive characters, Laura Vaccaro Seeger both departs from her signature style by dabbling for the first time in watercolor and creates a simple and engaging story with big emotional impact.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2019
2 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Laura Vaccaro Seeger
31 books82 followersLaura Vaccaro Seeger is a New York Times best-selling author and illustrator and the recipient of a 2008 Caldecott Honor, Theodor Seuss Geisel Honors for both 2009 and 2008, a 2007 New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award, and the 2007 Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Best Picture Book. Her books include First the Egg, The Hidden Alphabet, and Dog and Bear, among others.
Raised on Long Island, New York, Seeger began drawing at two years old and never stopped. For as long as she remembers, she wanted to write picture books. She received her B.F.A. degree at the School of Fine Art and Design at SUNY Purchase in Westchester, New York, and then moved to Manhattan, where she worked as an animator, artist, and editor in the network television business.
Seeger lives in Rockville Centre, Long Island, with her husband, Chris, their two sons, Drew and Dylan, and their dog, Copper. She loves painting, surfing, tennis, playing the piano, and spending time with her family. She takes long walks at the beach every day and paints in her studio every night.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/laurav...
Raised on Long Island, New York, Seeger began drawing at two years old and never stopped. For as long as she remembers, she wanted to write picture books. She received her B.F.A. degree at the School of Fine Art and Design at SUNY Purchase in Westchester, New York, and then moved to Manhattan, where she worked as an animator, artist, and editor in the network television business.
Seeger lives in Rockville Centre, Long Island, with her husband, Chris, their two sons, Drew and Dylan, and their dog, Copper. She loves painting, surfing, tennis, playing the piano, and spending time with her family. She takes long walks at the beach every day and paints in her studio every night.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/laurav...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
October 12, 2019
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.
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.
June 13, 2019
Other reviewers have declared this picture book to be deceptively simple, and I completely agree. Although it is--on the surface--a sweet story about an annoying friend, a rabbit, who drives his friend, a bear, crazy with all his questions, it's so much more than that. Like so many of us, the rabbit seeks to know why certain things happen, and his friend patiently responds with answers. But there are some things that take place--like the death of a red robin found in the snow--that don't have easy answers. The world-weary bear feels overwhelmed by it all and heads for its den. The rabbit follows and provides his friend with a reason to stick around. The illustrations, created with watercolor, are lovely as is always the case with this author/illustrator. The book touched me on a deep emotional level. I'm still thinking about it and certain that it would be excellent to share with youngsters so that they can see the value of real friendship but also as a reminder that not every question that is raised can be answered and sometimes we may not even like the answers we hear.
February 6, 2020
If you have ever been on the receiving end of why, why, why, why, why...etc., this one is for you. Rabbit peppers Bear with a litany of whys until Bear turns the tables on him. Why should you read it with kids? Wait for the clever ending.
June 5, 2019
Beautifully expressive, simple, gentle, and engaging.
December 17, 2019
Sweet as molasses, this simple picture book will appeal strongly to some kids: to the kids who ask "why?" over and over, this will be funny and appealing; to the kids who like to puzzle out and discuss what they see on the page, this will be engaging and fun; and, of course, to kids who just like rabbits and bears, this will be a winner. All the other kids may not be interested in a re-read.
The ending is a bit melancholy: rabbit doesn't want bear to hibernate for the winter because they are best friends and will be missed. The book doesn't discuss it, but ... what can bear do? a bear's got to hibernate! Rabbit will have to go it alone for the winter!
This is nearly a wordless book, there aren't many words beyond "why?" repeated on each page, plus a simple explanation, such as "wind." Illustrations are lovely and well-done but won't knock your socks off.
The ending is a bit melancholy: rabbit doesn't want bear to hibernate for the winter because they are best friends and will be missed. The book doesn't discuss it, but ... what can bear do? a bear's got to hibernate! Rabbit will have to go it alone for the winter!
This is nearly a wordless book, there aren't many words beyond "why?" repeated on each page, plus a simple explanation, such as "wind." Illustrations are lovely and well-done but won't knock your socks off.
March 2, 2020
This is a sweet little picture book with bear and rabbit. Rabbit is full of "why?" questions and bear attempts to answer every one. Until one time when he says "I don't know why. Sometimes I just don't know why!" Such a precious story with heart warming artwork. The illustrations in this book were made using watercolors.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
September 19, 2019
A little white rabbit is full of questions for a bear who valiantly tries to answer them all. After each “why?” comes a wise answer about wind, gravity, honey, stars, plants and much more. Finally though, the bear has had enough and heads off home. The little rabbit asks him not to go and now it is Bear’s turn to ask “why” of the rabbit. Rabbit rises to the question and answers it with the same wisdom and patience that Bear has shown all along.
Seeger takes the questions of a toddler and turns it into an engaging picture book. Parents and children alike will recognize the endless questions and the patience it takes to answer them. The turn around at the end of the book adds exactly the right ending to the story. Throughout the book has a pitch perfect tone that makes rabbit’s questions interesting rather than bothersome.
Seeger’s art is lush and lovely. One can almost sink into her greens and blues, they are so deeply colored. She manages to create a friendship from two animals without anthropomorphizing them along the way.
Simple and just right for toddlers and their questions. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Seeger takes the questions of a toddler and turns it into an engaging picture book. Parents and children alike will recognize the endless questions and the patience it takes to answer them. The turn around at the end of the book adds exactly the right ending to the story. Throughout the book has a pitch perfect tone that makes rabbit’s questions interesting rather than bothersome.
Seeger’s art is lush and lovely. One can almost sink into her greens and blues, they are so deeply colored. She manages to create a friendship from two animals without anthropomorphizing them along the way.
Simple and just right for toddlers and their questions. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
October 14, 2021
Interesting answers to the question "why?". Bear answers all of Rabbit's "Why?" questions with simple statements. Together, they explore the world around them. Seeger shows how many tones this one word can have as readers look at life.
September 9, 2019
Although the little rabbit only asks "Why?", the reader can figure out what the question was from the Bear's answer. Beautiful watercolor paintings make the questions and answers crystal clear.
October 26, 2019
That rabbit is basically the little girl from Animaniacs.
November 4, 2019
Why? Why? Why? Why did I enjoy this books so much? Why did I shed a tear? Why did I give it 5 stars? Because this is just such a really sweet book!
September 29, 2019
A rabbit asks a bear question after question. Sometimes the bear has answers but there are some questions that aren't easily answered. Gentle, layered message.
September 23, 2019
A beautifully illustrated book that quietly shows the friendship between a curious rabbit and a patient bear. The rabbit in the story repeatedly asks the questions Why? And the bear patiently responds to all these whys. From the bear's answers the reader can infer the specifics to the rabbit's Why question. The soft coloured illustrations adds to the calmness of the story and the friendship between rabbit and bear. A wonderful addition to classrooms and libraries.
September 23, 2019
This is lovely and Maybe could pair with Karma Wilson, Cori Doerfield, or so many other lovely friendship books. Wonder if K-2 might want to have kids do their own double spread Why?
October 15, 2019
Summary: This book is about a curious rabbit who asks his friend the bear a serious of one word "why?" questions. The questions are never fully stated but are made obvious by the bear's responses. The bear being patient answers them the best he can. Some of the answers he doesn't know why. At one point in the book, the bear begins to walk away from the rabbit. Rabbit finally says something other than "why" for the first time by telling his friend not to go. Bear responds with...you guessed it "why?" The tables turn for the rabbit and he answers his question saying "because then I would miss my friend..."
Evaluation: I think this book was formatted in a wonderful way. While the author doesn't write very many words, those words and the pictures are still able to tell an interesting story. The rabbit sounds like many young children who seem to be full of "why" questions as they explore the world around them through observations. This book truly captures the curiosity of a child.
Teaching: I would use this book for younger grades to introduce the subject of science to them and the importance of it. This book could help them think about the important role that asking questions plays in their everyday lives. I would tell them that no question is dumb and explain that not all questions have answers. I could tell them that the rabbit is like a scientist who is investigating the world around him and creating questions that can be answered scientifically. For the older grades, I could use this book to have them create the fully stated questions rabbit is asking by making inferences.
Evaluation: I think this book was formatted in a wonderful way. While the author doesn't write very many words, those words and the pictures are still able to tell an interesting story. The rabbit sounds like many young children who seem to be full of "why" questions as they explore the world around them through observations. This book truly captures the curiosity of a child.
Teaching: I would use this book for younger grades to introduce the subject of science to them and the importance of it. This book could help them think about the important role that asking questions plays in their everyday lives. I would tell them that no question is dumb and explain that not all questions have answers. I could tell them that the rabbit is like a scientist who is investigating the world around him and creating questions that can be answered scientifically. For the older grades, I could use this book to have them create the fully stated questions rabbit is asking by making inferences.
September 7, 2020
Grade Level K-2
I think this is a good book for tiny curious minds. It is a good book to read aloud so you can project the two different characters, Rabbit and Bear,voices. The story is told through the dialogue and Illustration. They text requires you to look as the illustration because the rabbits questions stems from the pictures. Here kids learn little facts for example: Telescopes are used to see stars close that are otherwise far away, or bears hibernate for the winter and sometimes people don't always have the answers to your question. The relationship between the bear and rabbit is a mentor/friendship. The bear really exhibits patience and it was a reminder to me to be patient with the curious kids who look to me for answers.
The illustration looks like it's water colored and the texture amplify the fur of the characters. It's very relativistic and most of the composition were wide and full body establishing shots. There were only one close up and it was the bear. I think that was a great use because it made the answer more impactful. I love the medium close up when the answer became about their relationship.
I think this is a good book for tiny curious minds. It is a good book to read aloud so you can project the two different characters, Rabbit and Bear,voices. The story is told through the dialogue and Illustration. They text requires you to look as the illustration because the rabbits questions stems from the pictures. Here kids learn little facts for example: Telescopes are used to see stars close that are otherwise far away, or bears hibernate for the winter and sometimes people don't always have the answers to your question. The relationship between the bear and rabbit is a mentor/friendship. The bear really exhibits patience and it was a reminder to me to be patient with the curious kids who look to me for answers.
The illustration looks like it's water colored and the texture amplify the fur of the characters. It's very relativistic and most of the composition were wide and full body establishing shots. There were only one close up and it was the bear. I think that was a great use because it made the answer more impactful. I love the medium close up when the answer became about their relationship.
August 25, 2019
There comes a time in every person's life when their most-used phrase consists of a single word. It is used frequently during a question and answer conversation. Sometimes it's used repeatedly, perhaps because the ones saying it know how irritating it can be to some people. Other times this three-letter word helps to satisfy a mind full of never-ending curiosity. It's an inquisitiveness which will serve them well over the course of their lives. It's a search to be informed, understand and become whole.
This single word is why. It's used with the appropriate punctuation as the title of a new picture book by two-time Caldecott Honor winner (First the Egg and Green) and two-time Geisel Honor winner (First the Egg and One Boy), Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Why? (Neal Porter Books, Holiday House, August 13, 2019) explores chats between a patient bear and a need-to-know rabbit, revealing the depth of their friendship.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
This single word is why. It's used with the appropriate punctuation as the title of a new picture book by two-time Caldecott Honor winner (First the Egg and Green) and two-time Geisel Honor winner (First the Egg and One Boy), Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Why? (Neal Porter Books, Holiday House, August 13, 2019) explores chats between a patient bear and a need-to-know rabbit, revealing the depth of their friendship.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
October 8, 2019
This book was super cute. The bunny asks the bear a lot of questions about the way things work. Why the wind blows, why he fell to the ground when he let go of a branch, why autumn leaves fall, etc. The bunny seems like he is constantly curious about the world around him, and the bear will provide explanations for some things, but sometimes he cannot, like why he has to hibernate. I'll be honest, I was kind of emotional when the bear asked "Why?" and the bunny said "because I will miss my friend". The story itself is really cute, and finally the bear got to go hibernate, per the last page. I think this book is something a lot children can relate to because of the rampant curiousity that they have at such a young age. Sometimes parents have the answers for you, and sometimes they might not. Overall, I think this was a very cute story.
Read
October 8, 2019In this story the Rabbit constantly is asking his friend the bear why. He wants to know why a bird died, he wanted to know why birds are moving through the sky, he also wants to know why the wind is even moving the rabbit. I like this book a lot because it is an easy read for younger students because they are always asking the question "why". Recently I have been in Kindergarten and they always asked the question why, and sometimes as did the bear I did not know the answer why. A great teaching strategy would be if you keep having students obsessed with the question why and always want to know the answer you could read this book aloud. You could explain to your class you may not always know the reason why to a question and that is perfectly okay.
December 9, 2019
Summary
This book is about a bear and rabbit. Throughout the book the seasons are changing, and the rabbit is asking the bear “why” questions. This is a book that expresses kindness, patience, and love between two friends.
Evaluation
I rate this book a 5/5 because of the way the book portrays the two friends, the bear and rabbit. The rabbit is curious and can’t settle down, and the bear is patient as can be with his friend.
Teaching Idea
This book would be good for teaching inferencing with the different seasons of the year. The book does not explicitly say which season the characters are in as the book goes on. Students could use the why questions the rabbit asks, the answers the bear gives, and pictures to infer what season they are in.
October 8, 2019
"Why?" asks Rabbit, when Bear waters the flowers. "Why?" he wonders, when Bear must rest after eating too much honey. Rabbit possesses an endless curiosity about the natural world and Bear is happy to explain things until Rabbit asks one too many questions that Bear cannot answer. Bear becomes so frustrated that he starts to wander toward his cave, leaving Rabbit alone to ponder life's mysteries on his own. Young children will relate to Rabbit's curiosity and adults will empathize with Bear's frustration. This is a sweet story illustrated in soft watercolors that is more profound than it appears.
November 2, 2019
A clever read because the full question is never asked, just the repeated "Why?" but from the answer the bear gives the rabbit, the reader knows what the full question is.
For example: "Why?" "Because they are very far away." They use a telescope to view the stars.
The questions and answers continue until the rabbit finds a dead robin on the ground and the bear doesn't know the reason why. He is so frustrated that he leaves the rabbit in the snow to hibernate and this time he asks 'why'. The rabbit responds " Because I would miss my friend." helping the reader understand that a friend doesn't have to have all the answers.
For example: "Why?" "Because they are very far away." They use a telescope to view the stars.
The questions and answers continue until the rabbit finds a dead robin on the ground and the bear doesn't know the reason why. He is so frustrated that he leaves the rabbit in the snow to hibernate and this time he asks 'why'. The rabbit responds " Because I would miss my friend." helping the reader understand that a friend doesn't have to have all the answers.
Read
December 2, 2019In this astonishingly simple book, Rabbit wants to know why Bear does the things he does. Rabbit asks one simple question until end: Why? All throughout the seasons Rabbit wants to know Why? until one day Bear doesn't have the answer.
I thought this was a cute and simple story. It was a great depiction of how kids think and want to know a reason for everything. I also thought that pictures and word placements were very strategic throughout.
This would be a fun read aloud for the end of the day or during down time. It could teach about friendship or even why bears hibernate and how they prepare for the winter.
I thought this was a cute and simple story. It was a great depiction of how kids think and want to know a reason for everything. I also thought that pictures and word placements were very strategic throughout.
This would be a fun read aloud for the end of the day or during down time. It could teach about friendship or even why bears hibernate and how they prepare for the winter.
September 17, 2024
Very sweet book about a rabbit who is always asked her bear friend, WHY??
The picture provide the context and statement bunny is asking about. And bear patiently answers all bunny's questions, until bunny sees a dead bird and asks WHY? Bear gets flustered for the first time and saying "Sometimes I just don't know why!" and starts to walk away.
Then it is bunny's turn to make the statement: Don't leave! and bear's turn to ask, Why?
Bunny's simple answer: because then I would miss my friend.
Even grown ups don't always know why, but their curious little bunnies still want them there to ask. It's not about the answers.
The picture provide the context and statement bunny is asking about. And bear patiently answers all bunny's questions, until bunny sees a dead bird and asks WHY? Bear gets flustered for the first time and saying "Sometimes I just don't know why!" and starts to walk away.
Then it is bunny's turn to make the statement: Don't leave! and bear's turn to ask, Why?
Bunny's simple answer: because then I would miss my friend.
Even grown ups don't always know why, but their curious little bunnies still want them there to ask. It's not about the answers.
June 8, 2019
Big, patient Bear has to deal with Rabbit who constantly asks "Why?" Bear provides good answers, usually, but some questions have no good answers. The illustrations are charming and warm. The text consists almost entirely of dialogue between the two. What is interesting is that most of the rabbit's questions are not voiced entirely. He simply asks, "Why?" and Bear answers the question he knows rabbit is asking. That would make this an interesting book to read with students to ask them what they think rabbit's question is, before reading Bear's answer.
January 7, 2020
Bear just wants to water his flowers, eat some honey and watch the stars twinkle at night. But Rabbit wants to know Why? He asks why for all of the things and Bear patiently answers all of his friend's questions. Until they find a dead bird on the winter ground and and once again Rabbit wants to know why. "I don't know why. Sometimes I just don't know why!" And in this moment Rabbit shows how much he loves his friend. A tender story about friendship, the sharing of emotions and that sometimes it is okay to not know the answers.
May 7, 2020
I am often touched by the books by this author. She has a great ability to weave together a story of familiar, realistic interactions with with sweet illustrations, delicately balancing whimsy and sincerity. In this book, adults will appreciate Bear's simple and creative answers to a wide range of questions. This includes when Rabbit encounters a lifeless bird. Albeit delicate content, it is handled gently and is a soft approach to demonstrate to readers that unfortunately some of life's questions are difficult to answer.
July 7, 2020
A calm, soothing explanation of "why?"
Rabbit always asks Bear "why?" when he is doing or not doing something. Bear always answers "Because" and the reason, until one day he turns the tables on Rabbit.
As she has done with past concept books, Seeger has brought this down to the essence of a concept - why we do the things we do for our friends. A great way to teach toddlers and preschoolers the proper use of the word "why?". Seeger's soft, stunning watercolors with ink are just right to tell this story.
Recommended for Toddlers-PreSchool.
Rabbit always asks Bear "why?" when he is doing or not doing something. Bear always answers "Because" and the reason, until one day he turns the tables on Rabbit.
As she has done with past concept books, Seeger has brought this down to the essence of a concept - why we do the things we do for our friends. A great way to teach toddlers and preschoolers the proper use of the word "why?". Seeger's soft, stunning watercolors with ink are just right to tell this story.
Recommended for Toddlers-PreSchool.
August 26, 2019
Patience is key for bear when his friend constantly asks him the why's of the world and he patiently replies each time if he knows. Until they realize their friendship will have to wait until the bear wakes back up from his slumber and that they are lovely friends.
The artwork is what picture book dreams are made of and the fluidity of the ask and answer is as calm for a readaloud as a bedtime story or simply an enjoyable read.
The artwork is what picture book dreams are made of and the fluidity of the ask and answer is as calm for a readaloud as a bedtime story or simply an enjoyable read.
January 28, 2020
In this beautifully illustrated picture book a rabbit keeps asking a bear that one-word question children are so fond of: Why? The bear does his/her best to answer, but is also honest enough to say "I don't know."
Use for W week, question words and for a tie-in with teaching about question marks. Use also for reading the illustrations, and vocabulary expansion by elaborating on the one-word question: Why?
Highly recommended for preschool-lower elementary grades.
Use for W week, question words and for a tie-in with teaching about question marks. Use also for reading the illustrations, and vocabulary expansion by elaborating on the one-word question: Why?
Highly recommended for preschool-lower elementary grades.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews