Young children are curious about everything and they learn best when curiosity and creativity collide. If you have ever been around any youngsters, you will be very familiar with one of their favourite questions – Why? Few things rival the pure joy of a child’s endless questions. In Why?, author Billy Dunne tackles one of these why questions, weaving a rhyming tale that celebrates curiosity, scientific wonder and the loving bond between a father and his daughter. Illustrated by Rhys Jefferys, this vibrant 32-page picture book transforms a simple rainbow sighting into a laughter-filled adventure in understanding. Why? is a whimsical wonder of curiosity and a sciencey, rhymey guide to rainbows!
As it’s summer, amidst the heat waves we have been having rain (at least here in Manchester anyway). For some of us, with the sun and rain, we may be lucky enough to witness that colourful arc in the sky – the rainbow. Apart from a fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, how many of us have actually given much thought about rainbows and how they are created? Why? looks at this phenomenon in a fun way for children in this wonderful picture educational picture book.
Let’s take a look a rainbows and ask “Why?”
On a bright, clear morning, a young girl and her dad spot a breathtaking sight streaking across the sky – a rainbow arching across the top of the world. As a curious child she naturally asks her very first “Why?” question. Dad confidently explains light refraction and colour dispersion, tossing around words like “wavelengths” and “prism” in his scientific answer. But one answer is never enough. Each layer of explanation he gives triggers another question of “Why?”, sending Dad from proud science teacher to hilariously overwhelmed mess. Before long, he’s curled on the grass, stumped by the tiny voice demanding more deeper answers to sate her curiosity. Just when you think he’s done, the girl’s curiosity shifts to a falling apple, proving that the world offers infinite questions.
WHY?
Overall, this picture book is a fun sciencey, rhymey guide to rainbows and the power of asking questions. It will not only entertain young listeners and readers but also the adults, and everybody will learn something new. The story looks at the real science behind a rainbow (not the myth of leprechauns and pots of gold) in a fun relatable way that offers up the facts to answer questions those important questions.
Just because it is a picture book for children, the author Billy Dunne doesn’t shy away from real science. Through playful rhyme, readers learn how sunlight splits into a spectrum when it passes through water droplets, why each hue bends at a slightly different angle, and how we perceive the classic red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet arc. Yet, the book never feels heavy or technical. Instead, it uses analogies, like comparing droplets to tiny mirrors, to help young minds grasp abstract ideas.
While the text deals with the science and the story, it wouldn’t be complete without illustrations. The artwork by Rhys Jefferys’s sparkles with bright, uncluttered scenes. Each page bursts with colour, from the pastel sky framing the rainbow to the expressive faces of our protagonists. The simple yet dynamic illustrations keep focus on the action: Dad’s escalating panic, the girl’s unwavering curiosity, and the magical interplay of light and water. These visuals make the science tangible and the humour pop.
Every parent and carer will be able to relate to the constant barrage of “Why?” that children never get tired of asking. The constant cries of “Why?” may be tiring, and at times annoying, but children should never be discouraged from asking questions as to why things work, why things happen – after all, they are like little sponges and improve their knowledge by asking questions, even when just asking “why?”
A fantastic educational story that shows the power of asking questions. It explores the run topic of rainbows in rhyme, delivering the facts in a fun way, while encouraging children to also ask questions. Science made simple as it demystifies concepts without condescension. Rather than just funnelling information, it empowers curiosity, with the narrative of the story showing that every question is meaningful – yes, even the trickiest ones.
And the adults will love it just as much as the kids with its relatable humour: parents and carers will chuckle along as Dad’s scientific pride takes a tumble, forging empathy with the flustered educator.
Why? is a fantastic story for inquisitive minds. It proves that learning isn’t a chore – it’s a grand adventure sparked by a single question. Perfect for ages 3–7, this book will become a go-to for bedtime giggles, classroom discussions or impromptu rainbow hunts. Maybe the real pot of gold at the end of that rainbow isn’t a physical treasure trove, but in the joys of curiosity and asking questions to seek the answers.
And the next time you spot a rainbow adorning the sky and are asked “Why?” you will be equipped with the information to give a factual scientific answer – or maybe just find a simple way to answer.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £7.99 (paperback)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
