Why? [Hardcover]

Lili Potpara (Author), Lila Prap (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Why are zebras striped?
Why do kangaroos have pouches?
Why do some monkeys have tails?

Distinctive and captivating art combines with silly questions, and some very, very, silly answers, to make this the perfect book for your sometimes-ridiculous, ever-curious, loveable, maddening why-afflicted zoologist.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Why? is a series of questions about animals. For example, "Why do kangaroos have pouches?" "Why do rhinos have horns on their noses?" and "Why are zebras striped?" Along with the "serious" answer (as indicated by the asterisk), there are a few "silly" ones too. Why do elephants have trunks? To trumpet their goodbyes. We took the book into a first-grade classroom and read it aloud. It was, as predicted, wildly popular. Highly recommended." --- Education Oasis

"Why? exhibits clarity and humor that reflect well on the translator s ability to convey the essence of Prap s work." --- Foreword magazine

"A few silly answers give parent and child the chance to laugh together before the real because answer; and she throws in extra fun factoids. Prap's chunky, texturized style will have parents scrambling to find prints by the artist with which to redecorate playroom walls." --- Curled Up Kids

From the Publisher

A rainy-day tale for dog lovers, dress-up fanatics, snack eaters, and anyone who has ever looked out a window and said, "It's raining cats and dogs!"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Pub (September 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929132808
• ISBN-13: 978-1929132805
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #842,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Celje, Slovenia. I graduated at Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. I worked as architect, teacher and graphic designer in Germany and in Slovenia. Now I'm free-lance artist, working on smaller architectural projects and interior decoration, graphic design, cartoons and books for children.
I was awarded for satire, illustration, literature and design in Slovenia. I received an international IBBY Certificate of Honour for Illustration 2002, nominated for the German Literature Award 2005, the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration 2006 and the Astrid Lindgren Award for Illustration 2006.
I live and work in Smarjeta, a small village near Celje in Slovenia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why Should You Read This Book? To Have Fun Learning!, September 14, 2005

By 

Heidi Anne Heiner (SurLaLune Fairy Tales.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Why? (Hardcover)

Lila Prap's "Why?" is a scientifically sound question and answer book disguised as a silly riddle book. Each two page spread features an animal, a question, and several possible answers. "Why do kangaroos have pouches?" One ludicrous answer is "To hide their bellybuttons." The correct answer is marked with a star, always found on the far right of the page. The rest of the ridiculous answers follow kid logic and some adult logic, especially those adults driven quite mad by a little one's unending "Why?" questions. While the illustrations and short text are well-suited to preschoolers, older children will also fully enjoy the book's information and humor. A nice introductory book to the mysteries of the animal kingdom for ages 4+.

Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!, August 16, 2006

By 

Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Why? (Hardcover)

Kane Miller Book Publishers brings us challenging and imaginative titles from around the world. I adore this book from Slovenia. Humor and facts work together in this animal book. Silly and factual answers to questions are the framework.

Why do whales spout water?
They're watering the sea grass.
It's their runy noses! They always have colds.
For fun.
* Whales don't spout water but from a distance it might look as if they do...When they come to the surface of the the water, they blow the moist air out fo their nose--the blowhole on top of their head.

The illustrations are chalk or pastel and will inspire the artist in all of us. This is a book I would want to share with art teachers.

It is also an excellent model for a research or Big 6 product. Animal reports are a staple of research skills lessons. Students could illustrate their animal and surround it with facts they discovered through research.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Question by Any Other Name, February 7, 2006

By 

Julie Jordan Scott "Writer, Life Coach - Owne... (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why? (Hardcover)

I love the concept of this book and I think
parents and kids will have a lot of fun with it... and
there are just a few points of execution that would
make it even better.

Yes, the scientific "correct" answer is always
in the right hand column with a star next
to it... but the questions and the "wrong"
answers are scattered and not easy to immediately
discern.

Solution? Teach young children what makes a
question a question... and what makes a silly
answer just a silly answer... perhaps a note to
parents explaining this in the front of the book
would have been beneficial.

The illustrations are befitting the jungle
theme - whimsical, too - with the earthy tones
one delights to find.

My favorite question is "Why do rhinos have horns?"

Answers: You'll have to read the book to find out!