Questions, Questions

by Marcus Pfister

From Marcus Pfister, creator of the bestselling Rainbow Fish series, a thoughtful book of thirteen rhyming couplets that create a calming meditation on life and the great questions it inspires.

How do birds learn how to sing?

What brings summer after spring?

What turns the leaves from green to brown

and sends them floating gently down?

In thirteen engaging couplets, Marcus Pfister opens children’s eyes to the wondrous mysteries all around them.

It is refreshing to see a text that encourages questioning.
–Kirkus Reviews

Visually appealing . . . and lets children ponder the answers.
–Booklist

Maybe the questions we ask are what matter most.
–Publishers Weekly

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Animals, Fiction, Poetry, Pre K

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Marcus Pfister was born in Berne, Switzerland, and began his career as a graphic artist in an advertising agency. In 1983, he decided to dedicate more time to artistic pursuits, and began to write and illustrate his first book, The Sleepy Owl, which was published in 1986. His best-known work to date is The Rainbow Fish, which has remained on bestseller lists across the United States since 1992.

Marcus does most of his illustrations for children's books in watercolors. He begins each book by stretching watercolor paper over a wooden board so that it won't warp when wet. He then copies his rough sketches onto the paper in pencil. At this point, he is ready to begin painting. For backgrounds and blended contours, he uses wet paint on wet paper to get a softer effect. For sharper details, he first lets the paper dry, then paints the final picture layer by layer. When the illustration is complete he cuts the paper from the wooden board.

For books that feature holographic foil stamping, he then tapes a piece of transparent film over the art and indicates with a black marker where the foil stamping should be. The foil stamping is then applied during the production process after the pages are printed and before the final binding.

Marcus and his wife, Kathryn, work together in Berne, where they live with their three children.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are nice, but I suspect the author has not dealt much with preschool children who ask a million questions. My son was kind of disappointed that the book offered no answers. Pretty pictures, but not a satisfying read.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book, but I don't see kids being okay with a book full of unanswered questions. I haven't read this with a kid yet, but I just have this feeling it's one of those books that adults would love more.

[Melissa]

I love, love, love the illustrations. The texture is amazing. The composition is understated but thoughtful and pleasing, and the colors are bright but not at all crayon-boxy. The technique (acrylic paint stamped onto paper with cardboard shapes) would be super fun to share with kids.

I am feeling too grown-up and pragmatic today, however, to enjoy the questions. ("How do birds learn how to sing? / What brings summer after spring?") I was hoping for more imaginative ones, but I understand that for younger listeners these questions are still full of mystery. I'd bring it out for teachers looking for writing prompts.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be titled Unanswered Questions, Questions. On one hand, the unanswered questions in the book do allow the child to latch on and answer themselves, or ask more about whatever subject(s) interest them.
On the other hand, it's kind of annoying to have a book full of questions with no answers.
The illustrations are the best part of the book but I do have to admit the text is rather rhythmic to read out loud.
More observant children might take the ending away with them also.

Birds and flowers, sea and air -
questions, questions everywhere

[Colby Sharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book that encourages kids to wonder, dream, and ask questions.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How do seeds know how to grow, to reach up from the earth below?" Beautiful and unique illustrations accompany the rhyming text which invites readers to reflect on the mysteries of the natural world. Use this lovely contemplative book devotianally, and when teaching question marks, Creation, Thanksgiving, seasons, metaphor, personification, painting/stamping techniques. Appropriate for preschool but useful for upper grades as well.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's no real story in this book, rather it's a series of questions put to beautiful illustrations. Surprisingly, it works. (I'm usually not a fan of books without story lines). It could be a springboard for discussions, even with preschoolers, about what a question is and what questions they might have. Reader beware: there's NO answers presented, just a LOT of questions.
A solid story time selection for a reader willing to answer some questions!

[Kalynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book isn't written as a story, with a main character, the format and the rhyme make it feel like one. Every page has a great question to explore, leading to an investigation, further wondering, or just keener observation to the world around us. One page example is: "What turns the leaves from green to brown...and sends them floating gently down?"

[Chinook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this would be a fun book to explore as a unit study in a classroom or homeschooling, where you’d prepared a series of activities and explorations that would answer each question the book poses. Strictly as a bedtime read, it was a bit disappointing.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written entirely as questions, the book makes a great introduction to nature. The book also contains the author's signature use of a shiny mirrored detail on each page which should delight fans of his Rainbow Fish books.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging questions that may inspire children to think. I loved this, definitely encourages the imagination.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A suggested read from the education department at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written as a poem this book is full of questions. I love the artwork which is stamped paint.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book, because I too am a questioner and am always trying to learn more about the things.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Like the illustrations. Wish there were answers to the questions. Leaves things incomplete.

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lyrical, with a focus on nature. Some of the rhymes worked more than others.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great discussion starter.

[Christine Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations. Cool medium

[Natasha Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reseñado en mi blog Nanny Books

¿Por qué los colores son tan coloridos? es un libro infantil, editado por V&R Editoras, escrito e ilustrado por Marcus Pfister.

Marcus Pfister nació en Berna, Suiza. Estudió en la Escuela de Arte de Berna y completó su formación en arte y diseño en una agencia de publicidad de Zürich. Luego de viajar por México, Estados Unidos y Canadá, regresó a su país natal para trabajar como diseñador gráfico independiente. Es autor de cuarenta y nueve libros, que han sido traducidos a más de cincuenta idiomas y han vendido treinta millones de ejemplares.

Más que libro infantil, ¿Por qué los colores son tan coloridos? es un libro álbum para coleccionar. El ejemplar es de tapa dura y de tamaño muy grande (21x30 cm). Las páginas son resistentes y, como pueden ver en las fotos, está impreso a colores.

Con frases a modo de preguntas, el libro va dejando caer significados y bonitas ilustraciones. Es, sin dudas, un regalo magnífico para decorar las habitaciones de los chicos o para crearles interrogantes que despierten su curiosidad.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This colorful book asks question after poetic question about our world. The questions range in subject, but are all simply and beautifully written:

What makes fire burn red and gold

and makes it much too hot to hold?

and

Does a whale make up a song

so other whales will sing along?

Told in gentle verse, the book celebrates life, including whales, fish, seeds, butterflies and much more. The simplicity and tenderness of this book make it exceptional.

Pfister’s art work is done with a different technique here. He explains it in an author’s note at the end of the book. He transferred his drawing to cardboard and then used the cut outs to stamp with acrylic paints. The result are intriguingly textured illustrations that are bold and colorful. On each page there is also a foil element, though I find the illustrations themselves to be far more interesting.

A lovely poetic book that is worth sharing, it is appropriate for ages 2-4.

[Becca Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved The Rainbow Fish so I was excited to find another beautifully illustrated book by Marcus Pfister. I plan to read this book to Kindergarten & 1st grade students in my library to introduce the idea of research. I read numerous reviews by Goodreads user saying they were disappointed there are only questions and no answers. My response?
1. The title IS "Questions, Questions". Seems like it's an apt title.
2. I challenge parents who read this book with their kiddos to use it as a chance to find the answers! Use your local public library, a reliable database or any other strong source & encourage exploration, not immediate gratification.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus Pfister's new picturebook engages children in questions about the natural world. The bright illustrations are done by applying acrylic paints to cardboard blocks and using them as stamps. Children will love the texture, the bright colors and the foil elements reminiscent of his Rainbow Fish books. The simple rhyming couplets on each page encourage children to think about animals, plants, the weather, and many more things in the natural world. Each double page spread is a treat. The simple idea is made magnificent under Pfister's artistic eye.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 5 yr. old answered or demanded answers to some of the questions and dismissed a few as absurd. Some of the questions are open-ended while others are fairly straightforward. None were as imaginative as I'd hoped, and the whole thing seemed just a little odd to me. I enjoyed the illustrations except for the ubiquitous shiny bit, a carry-over from Rainbow Fish. This is a better book than the Rainbow Fish oeuvre, and it did generate a fair amount of discussion with my 5 yr. old, so perhaps it deserves another half star, but really it was 'just okay'.

[Kimberly.miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with rhyming couplets. There are serious questions, silly questions, and questions students may never have thought to ask. I enjoy this book because it begins to spark curiosity for students as they think about the world around them.
I would use this book to teach students how to write a question and how to use a question mark. We could create a book with our own questions in it and then look up the answers and create a book of answers. We could compare and contrast the questions in our book to the answers in the other.

[Jae · Rating 2 out of 5]

my 5 year old said she liked this book - a little bit - can't get more honest than that. I think it's a weak book relying on relentless empty questions that doesn't offer anything to a child unless you follow each pages with relentless boring answers for Ur child. the writer has jazzed this up with childlike illustrations that kids can relate to and the shiny spot on the pages that my 5 year old liked the most about the book. it was the only thing she remembered about the book when I picked it up again an hr later!

[Paul Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladder this one up with Pablo Neruda's BOOK OF QUESTIONS. . .invite students to create a series of questions of their own to which they may already know the answer or to foster a sense of inquiry. Pfister's book might work well with Jeff Anderson's approach to Classical Invention (modeling of questions to arrive at possible solutions or invitations to write).

[Shanshad Whelan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty pics and lyrical text , but the questions don't get answered, nor does their seem to be any ordering to them. Basically a book encouraging kids to question and wonder about things. The little glittery additions on each page are attractive, but don't really serve a huge purpose other than the oooh factor from kids.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best part of the book are the illustrations. Very eye-catching. The questions are ones I've heard many kids ask. Some are answerable through science. Some are just meant to be wondered at. Visually appealing. Probably best in lap-read and read-alone. Could work in storytime, but there's not as much conclusion for me in such a large group that will inevitably ask me questions and want answers.

[Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice book with gentle open ended discussion questions. WE loved the illustrations the best. The Author/Artist explains his technique in detail and we will definitely be using this book to spring board into a summer painting project. Nicely done!