Review - Why?

Why?
by Nikolai Popov
Date: 1995
Publisher: minedition
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

A frog finds a beautiful flower and picks it for himself. When a mouse sees him with it, his jealousy overcomes him, and he swipes it. Frog’s friends come to his aid and chase the mouse away. But before the frogs can celebrate, Mouse’s friends return for a counter-attack. Before long the conflict has devolved into a full-scale frog-mouse war. By the end of it, all either side can ask is: why? This seemingly simple book tackles an important subject and will be an invaluable way to talk to young children about conflict and warfare.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book has been around for decades, yet I can't recall ever hearing about it. It's a wordless picture book featuring a frog who's just minding his own business when a greedy mouse comes along and steals his flower. Things escalate from there as both recruit their friends to participate in battles that leave the landscape scarred. Nobody wins.

The allegory is clear and can probably be understood even by very young children. The illustrations are almost luminous, showing the ingenuity with which the critters come up with ways to destroy one another. If only they'd put their talents to use in a more constructive way!

It's kind of a sad book, but it carries an important message.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: n/a
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.6 out of 5

Review - Why?

Why?
by Adam Rex
illustrated by Claire Keane
Date: 2019
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 60
Format: e-book
Source: library

A sweet and appealing tale for anyone familiar with the universal tendency of young children to always ask WHY? When supervillain Doctor X-Ray swoops in threatening to vanquish an innocent crowd, the only one brave enough not to run away is a little girl, who asks him simply, "Why?" He is taken aback—but he answers. She keeps asking. And he keeps answering—until a surprising truth is uncovered, and the villain is thwarted.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Why? is sort of a therapy session between a would-be supervillain and a little girl, expressed in a comic-book format.

Doctor X-Ray swoops into the mall one day, threatening to take over the world. The only person who doesn't run is a little girl, who begins to question him with one simple word: Why? As the story comes out, we learn why the bad guy turned bad, and why he wants to accomplish his goal. There's actually a lot of story packed into this book, which is a quick read, despite its length.

The blurb recommends this book to kids between 3 and 5, but I think the actual message and humour would be lost on them. Older children (as well as parents) are more likely to understand what's going on, and depending on their age, will get why the repeated question is so amusing.

The illustrations by Claire Keane, though simple, work perfectly with the narrative. It's fun to see the duo of villain and child make their way through the mall, sharing snacks, sliding down bannisters, and even playing in the coin-operated ride-on toys.

Overall, this is a fun little picture book. Don't let its length put you off. The amusing ending is something you won't want to miss.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5