mat_tobin's review against another edition
3.0
A child cannot get to sleep at night because they have too many questions floating around in their head. When dad comes to ask them to try and get to sleep he is met by a barrage of questions. The conversations were almost uncomfortably similar to those between Calvin and his father in the unsurpassed [b:Calvin and Hobbes|77727|Calvin and Hobbes (Calvin and Hobbes #1)|Bill Watterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441227694l/77727._SX50_.jpg|2110010]. Instead of answering them logically, he presents answers that are quite ludicrous:
Child: 'Why is the ocean blue?'
Father: 'Every night when you go to sleep, the fish take out guitars. They sing sad songs and cry blue tears.'
And so the exchanges continue. As more questions are asked, dad comes closer to the bed and, smiling, joins their child enjoyably hooked into the exchange. I interject here to say that, again, Arsenault's mixed-media illustrations are just perfect. The story culminates in a final, wonderful exchange in which dad leaves with a beautiful refrain on the power of the imagination and the importance of always continuing to question.
It's a sweet picturebook but it's staying power and re-reading is thin at best.
Child: 'Why is the ocean blue?'
Father: 'Every night when you go to sleep, the fish take out guitars. They sing sad songs and cry blue tears.'
And so the exchanges continue. As more questions are asked, dad comes closer to the bed and, smiling, joins their child enjoyably hooked into the exchange. I interject here to say that, again, Arsenault's mixed-media illustrations are just perfect. The story culminates in a final, wonderful exchange in which dad leaves with a beautiful refrain on the power of the imagination and the importance of always continuing to question.
It's a sweet picturebook but it's staying power and re-reading is thin at best.
lordofbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
zoes_human's review against another edition
3.0
This was cute with charming and funny art, but the story didn't quite capture me. The theme of absurd answers to a child's questions about how life works seems more aimed at the parents than the kids.
_book_nook_'s review
hopeful
lighthearted
3.0
It’s a cute book and a quick read. The art is gorgeous and the real star here I feel. Wont be buying for the classroom but a good home book.
leonieb8's review against another edition
5.0
Une bel album où l’imagination est maître et où toutes les questions sont valables et ouvrent à la créativité et à l’originalité.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I can see this both ways: the fact-lover in me was somewhat aghast that the answers the child was given to her legitimate questions were fantastical; but I also know that I loved the stories like this that my dad would give to me and my sisters when we were little. He would make up stories about our dog visiting the queen, and how the rabbit smoked cigarettes and so on. We adored him for that- and we knew, of course, that they were just fun stories. So while I totally get where people who object to the lack of straightforward answers are coming from, I thought it was fun and I liked it. The art is beautiful.
melhara's review
4.0
This picture book was so cute and the illustrations were absolutely wonderful.
As a child, have you asked an adult tons of questions only to be dismissed and answered with a simple, 'Just Because'? Or have you ever been bombarded by questions from a tiny human with no idea how to explain certain things?
Well, in this book, a little girl asks her dad a bunch of questions as he tucks her in at night. He responds with the most creative and fun answers.
For example:
While I typically prefer giving children factual answers, I really enjoyed the answers provided in this book. I think these answers can promote creativity and spark a child's imagination. However, I think it's also important for children to understand that these imaginative answers are meant to be fun and silly, and shouldn't be taken seriously as they are scientifically incorrect.
As a child, have you asked an adult tons of questions only to be dismissed and answered with a simple, 'Just Because'? Or have you ever been bombarded by questions from a tiny human with no idea how to explain certain things?
Well, in this book, a little girl asks her dad a bunch of questions as he tucks her in at night. He responds with the most creative and fun answers.
For example:
Why do birds fly south for the winter?
To fetch new leaves for trees.
While I typically prefer giving children factual answers, I really enjoyed the answers provided in this book. I think these answers can promote creativity and spark a child's imagination. However, I think it's also important for children to understand that these imaginative answers are meant to be fun and silly, and shouldn't be taken seriously as they are scientifically incorrect.