Why?

A little white rabbit is always asking, "Why?"--to which his kind, even-tempered bear friend usually has a simple but satisfying response. "Why?" the rabbit asks, watching the bear water a patch of blooms. "Because flowers need water to grow," the bear replies. Seasonal watercolor spreads by Seeger (Blue) are idyllic; the bear, painted in radiant, translucent oranges and browns, is patient but not paternal, which grants the small wiry rabbit a modicum of independence. But when winter arrives and the latter finds a dead cardinal in the snow--a startling but beautiful image--the refrain suddenly becomes too big for even the massive bear: "I don't know why. Sometimes I just don't know why," it says, trudging away to hibernate. Coming full circle, the rabbit asks its friend to stay ("Why?" the bear asks. "Because then I would miss my friend.... That's why") and patiently keeps watch while the bear sleeps. But the ending feels more flat than uplifting, and readers may not be able to get past rabbit's toddlerlike querying habit to appreciate its fondness for its friend. Ages 4-8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Aug.)

PreS-Gr 1--"'Why?' asked the rabbit," as a honey colored bear placidly waters the flowers, "'Because flowers need water to grow.'" And so the story progresses; Bear acts, Rabbit wonders, and Bear provides straightforward explanations. The text and illustrations must be interpreted together for readers to understand the context of the question--sometimes to humorous effect, such as the spread that shows Rabbit poking out of a hole while Bear explains, "Because I am way too big to fit." The larger font used for Rabbit's "Why?" conveys the inescapable intensity of the little creature's persistent questioning. Seasons change, and the questions come faster and faster, outpacing Bear's answers until a dead bird in the snow prompts the gentle giant to answer, "I don't know why. Sometimes I just don't know why!" Bear turns to leave, Rabbit chases after. '"Don't go, ' said the rabbit.'" And the tables are turned as Bear is the one asking why while Rabbit explains, "Because then I would miss my friend." Readers see through the illustrations that it's time for Bear to hibernate, but are reassured that the friendship will last as Rabbit watches over Bear's wintery cave. Seeger's slightly anthropomorphized characters eloquently convey their feelings through body language. VERDICT Illustrations and text meld to provide a rich one-on-one reading experience that will be particularly resonate for any adult who has cared for a child in the 'why' phase.--Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN