Because

by Richard Torrey, Richard Torrey (Illustrator)

Overview

Even though Jack′s mom tells him that "because" is not an answer, Jack strongly disagrees. In fact, this almost-six-year-old thinks "because" is the perfect answer to any question!

Why did he cover himself in band-aids?

Why did he eat all the chocolate cake?

Why is the dog wearing a cape?

Because!

This endearing companion to ALMOST and WHY?, from acclaimed author and illustrator Richard Torrey, celebrates every child′s favorite answer to life′s trickiest questions.

Age: 4 - 8

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062183729
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	11/15/2011
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	9 MB
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Richard Torrey is the author and illustrator of a number of well-loved children's books, including Almost, Why?, and the popular Beans Baker series. Mr. Torrey lives in Shoreham, New York.

Editorial Reviews

The story will allow youngsters to recall fondly their own “because” moments.” — School Library Journal

PRAISE FOR WHY?: “Readers will laugh aloud.” — School Library Journal

Praise for WHY?: “Jack isn’t just cute or just annoying; he’s doing his best to understand the world, and Torrey’s sensitivity brings Jack’s feelings home to readers.” — Publishers Weekly

Praise for WHY?: “Jack is just as sweet as in the earlier volume.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for WHY?: “Youngsters trying to make sense of their own worlds will likely relate to Jack’s curiosity.” — Booklist

Praise for ALMOST: “Children impatient to step into the shoes of their older siblings or friends will find a kindred spirit in Jack and take comfort in his literal ups and downs. Touching and true to life.” — Publishers Weekly

Praise for ALMOST: “Torrey precisely captures Jack’s desperate desire to be bigger and to be able to master the adult world.... This is a sweet, tongue-in-cheek look at growing up that will reassure the youngest sufferers of youth that they are not alone.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for ALMOST: “This simple story addresses both the desire of children to be older and sibling rivalry. It’s sure to be a hit at storytime.” — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

Praise for WHY?: “Youngsters trying to make sense of their own worlds will likely relate to Jack’s curiosity.

Booklist

Praise for WHY?: “Youngsters trying to make sense of their own worlds will likely relate to Jack’s curiosity.

Booklist

Since Torrey's wobbly, irresistible artwork tells the whole story, there is no reason to ask any explicit questions—such as, "Why is half the cake eaten?" or, "Why are you covered in Band-Aids?"—but young Jack always has the answer.

Following on the heels of Almost (2009) and Why? (2010), this book nods toward a survey of that classic response, so elegant in its singularity: "Because." Most of the time, however, Jack has a perfectly good reason for doing what he is doing, with a "because" tacked on to the start of the response. Why is he sitting in the laundry basket with the dirty laundry flung all about? "Because it's my spaceship," which could just as easily have been "It's my spaceship." The whole pleasure of the simple "because"—that if the person asking doesn't know the answer, well, then, really...go fish—has been undermined. "Because" serves here as prelude to the preposterous or comical. "Because you cheated," Jack tells the dog that he has sent to the corner, a game of checkers left unfinished on the floor.

But still, because or no because, it's a pleasure to see Jack learning to negotiate his way through the world, from longing questions to innocent answers that reveal far too much plain honesty. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews