Why Is the Sky Blue? - Softcover

Susan Varley is the distinguished author of the iconic Badger's Parting Gifts and an acclaimed illustrator of children's books, having won many awards, including the Mother Goose Award. Sally Grindley is an award-winning author of more than 30 books, including SHHH!

PreSchool-K. Elderly, sedentary Donkey and young, hyperactive Rabbit live in the same field. Wise Donkey is pleased to pass on his knowledge to the eager rabbit, if only he would sit still and listen. But Rabbit's curiosity keeps him jumping from one thing to another, so the older animal is never able to finish a thought. One day Rabbit is gone a long time, and the worried donkey begins a search, noticing new things along the way and remembering how it felt to be young. He finds Rabbit counting the spots on ladybugs and realizes that there are a lot of things he doesn't know. The story ends with Rabbit asking, "Why is the sky blue?" and Donkey answering, "Wait until morning." This pleasant, well-written story with charming, soft watercolor illustrations contrasts the differences between ages and demonstrates how each generation learns from the other. Rabbit hops and bounces all over the page, while the Eeyore-like donkey patiently waits. Children will enjoy looking for the pictures in the impressionistic clouds. The drawings of the flowers and insects are lovely. This is a good candidate for storyhour, but beware: Donkey never answers "Why is the sky blue?"?Martha Gordon, formerly at South Salem Library, NY
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