This children’s book encourages interactive involvement. By a look or a nudge, a child can be prompted to say “why?” before each turn of a page. The rhymed phrases stick in the mind and can be progressively memorized and recited. Thus a young listener can later point to each verbalized word and learn to recognize it in print.

  The text hints at lessons of life: facing fearful challenges, dealing with discouragement, identifying one’s own values and discovering self-worth. The text triggers meaningful questions. It also builds vocabulary and emphasizes the value of words. Delightful pictures complement the text to convey ever-needed humor. This is a picture book that won’t just perch on a shelf. It should well be a bird-in-the-hand.