The Big Question [Paperback]

Wolf Erlbruch (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A stunningly beautiful and poetic illustrated book for children that poses the biggest of all big questions: Why am I here? A chorus of voices-including the cat's, the baker's, the pilot's, and the soldier's-offers us some answers. But nothing is certain, except that as we grow, each one of us will pose the question differently and be privy to different answers.

Wolf Erlbruch is considered one of Europe's most important illustrators. He has written and illustrated countless books for children and in 2002 was the winner of a special career award from the German Children's Literature Circle.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

K-Gr. 3. This tall, slim book, a prizewinner at the Bologna Book Fair, is striking in its simplicity--and in every other way. The question of the title is "Why are we here?" and answers come from a variety of sources. A pilot says we're here to kiss the stars; a bird says we're here "to sing [our] song"; the number three thinks we're here to count to three. Erlbruch illustrates the short text with creative artwork that makes more out of less. Using basic shapes cut from construction paper and set against a plain, beige background, he creates some amazing images: Death is a skeleton head in a clown suit ("You are here to live life"). The final answer to the big question comes from a mother holding her baby: "You are here because I love you." This is an inventive way to get a conversation going with a child about our^Braison d'etre;much can be gleaned from kids' reactions to the thoughtful replies in the book, as well as from their own musings. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

All that belongs to the world of a child’s imagination finds meaning though pages bursting with Erlbruch’s elegant, affective illustrations. -- Il Salvagente

Offers more open-ended questions than Shel Silverstein’s Giving Tree and is certain to leave young readers in a reflective mood. -- Kirkus Review (starred review)

The kind of book you keep forever -- La Rivisteria

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 52 pages
• Publisher: Europa Editions (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933372036
• ISBN-13: 978-1933372037
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 6.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,091,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book for first reader, October 30, 2007

By 

Ying Lu (Detroit, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Big Question (Paperback)

If I write too much I will spoil the fun and the amazing point of the story. This book is for "kids" of all ages.