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Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite, 2023

Why! How many times in a day do we hear that persistent plea? Children are full of questions, mainly why questions, and want answers. So when Ben takes his daughter, Belle, for a walk in the woods, it’s a challenging but delightful day full of questions. “Why are the trees so tall, and I’m short? And “Why are there deer in the world? And bobcats? And birds?” Have you ever wondered why? As the questions piled one on top of the other and Belle rattled on without concern over her father’s lack of answers, Ben starts thinking about the many why’s in the world. The final why question tickles him the most, the question Belle asks as he tucks her into bed that night: “Papa, why do you love me?” Where does a loving parent begin to answer that question? Find out in The Little Book of Why by Catherine Russell.

Catherine Russell’s picture book, The Little Book of Why, is a charming journey through a forest full of why’s. Written in simple language so young readers can begin to follow along and enhance their reading skills, the story is accompanied by spectacular illustrations by Morgan Quist Sooy. The pictures, taken from watercolor images, add to the depth of the plot and help move the story along. This is more than just a story about why; it’s a story that explores the natural world, the animals and landscapes that surround us, and the many questions that can be associated with all that we encounter. Young readers will undoubtedly relate to Belle and her many questions, some of which don’t need an answer, at least not yet. This entertaining and educational book is full of fun and, yes, questions.