Christopher Philips-known for promoting the art of Socratic inquiry to adults and older children around the world-now turns his attention to the very young. Ceci Ann approaches her day with an open and questioning mind. Why? Why not! This winsome model for thoughtful conversations will encourage young readers toward critical thinking in the years ahead.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
In his first picture book, the author of the adult philosophy title The Socrates Cafe (2001) celebrates the big, evocative questions that often come out of the mouths of babes. Despite the title, the text never refers to a main character, consisting exclusively of open-ended why questions grouped into loosely rhyming verses: "Why are there birds? Why is there sky? Why are there words? Why is there why?" The absence of answers (or cues to guide discussion) may lead to frustration, but it's the striking illustrations by newcomer Arihara that give shape to Phillips' rather directionless words. Richly textured gouache paintings pair the questions with successive moments of a day in the life of an African American girl and portray her multicultural, urban community with an affection that calls forth Ezra Jack Keats. From classroom to playground to neighborhood and cozy home, these buoyant images provide little ones with plenty to look at and talk about--even if the accompanying questions fail to spark the intended dialogue. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
Phillips's moving and delightfully rendered picture book pays tribute to the rewards of being fully present in the world. -- Publishers Weekly, October 30, 2006
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
You'll want this book. It's thought-provoking and fun!,
By Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ceci Ann's Day of Why (Hardcover)
Ceci Ann is much like other children. Most of her days are filled with the wonder of life.
And Ceci has so many questions. "Why are there birds? Why are there words? Why is that round? Why so happy? Why so blue? Why me? Why you? Why is there why?" and so many other everyday questions that must be answered. This delightful book for children between the ages of 4 to 7 will engage children and their parents to discuss the world around them and life itself, leading to many meaningful and instructive conversations. I enjoyed the bright illustrations that depicted Ceci's questions. And it's nice to see racial diversity in a children's story. There's not enough of that. Armchair Interviews says: Children will ask for Ceci Ann's Day of Why over and over again. Be prepared to answer those important questions.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Why are there birds? Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Why are there birds? Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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