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I Wonder
Kids who love the intrigue of titles such as What Do You Do with an Idea? will be inspired to ask their own questions about the world around them.
In this unusual text, young listeners and readers follow a group of diverse kids trying to make sense of the world as they see it. Questions such as What do clouds taste like?, Do my toys miss me when I'm gone?, and I wonder if cars and trucks speak the same language remind us of a child's unique point of view. Nothing is more powerful than seeing something for the first time, and these whimsical questions will encourage all readers to take a fresh look around them.
Exquisite artwork by rising star Kenard Pak follows the arc of a day, ending with a spread showing a group of children as different and varied as their questions.
In this unusual text, young listeners and readers follow a group of diverse kids trying to make sense of the world as they see it. Questions such as What do clouds taste like?, Do my toys miss me when I'm gone?, and I wonder if cars and trucks speak the same language remind us of a child's unique point of view. Nothing is more powerful than seeing something for the first time, and these whimsical questions will encourage all readers to take a fresh look around them.
Exquisite artwork by rising star Kenard Pak follows the arc of a day, ending with a spread showing a group of children as different and varied as their questions.
34 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
1 person is currently reading
312 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
July 4, 2022
Featured in a grandma reads session.
Oh, the wonderful questions a person who is new to the world asks! When context is irrelevant, or worn upside down, or is approached from a different window or door. . . when perspective is not wrong, but not right nor left, but is rather presented entirely new. . .
For those of us who were reading, and those who were listening. . . .the older we were the better the read. As for the art, it was swooping and novel and lush. . .perfect for the message of the book.
Oh, the wonderful questions a person who is new to the world asks! When context is irrelevant, or worn upside down, or is approached from a different window or door. . . when perspective is not wrong, but not right nor left, but is rather presented entirely new. . .
For those of us who were reading, and those who were listening. . . .the older we were the better the read. As for the art, it was swooping and novel and lush. . .perfect for the message of the book.
March 18, 2021
A series of wonder-filled questions from author K.A. Holt - what if the ocean were one huge water bottle? are boy ladybugs called boybugs? could there be a galaxy inside my belly button? - is paired with lovely artwork from illustrator Kenard Pak in this imaginative picture-book, which concludes with an answer to the question of why we wonder so much. And that is, of course, because we are wonderful...
I liked the idea behind I Wonder, which is clearly a celebration of the role of curiosity in a young person's life, offering a series of questions that feel as if they could have come straight from the mouth of an inquisitive child. I also liked the artwork from Kenard Pak, whose paintings here are quite charming. That said, there isn't really much to this one, from a storytelling perspective - it's not really a story at all - and I doubt that it will prove that memorable. Tastes vary, of course, so I'd still recommend this one to picture-book readers looking for titles meant to encourage curiosity and questioning in young children, as they explore their world.
I liked the idea behind I Wonder, which is clearly a celebration of the role of curiosity in a young person's life, offering a series of questions that feel as if they could have come straight from the mouth of an inquisitive child. I also liked the artwork from Kenard Pak, whose paintings here are quite charming. That said, there isn't really much to this one, from a storytelling perspective - it's not really a story at all - and I doubt that it will prove that memorable. Tastes vary, of course, so I'd still recommend this one to picture-book readers looking for titles meant to encourage curiosity and questioning in young children, as they explore their world.
October 2, 2019
Kenard Pak’s beautiful illustrations can’t save this book from a meandering text that doesn’t sink in. It’s unfortunate this came out so close to Barnett’s Just Because, which shares some tonal similarities but is better grounded by voice, character, and structure.
May 3, 2020
Very cute!
February 22, 2020
A fun book of questions. My favorite � I wonder if sandwiches get mad when you bite them�.
Most questions are totally ridiculous but would make great conversation starters with elementary age children. They could also be writing prompts as well.
Most questions are totally ridiculous but would make great conversation starters with elementary age children. They could also be writing prompts as well.
November 29, 2019
what a lovely book! would be great for a preschool or older storytime. lots of possibilities for writing prompts if used in a classroom.
March 20, 2020
I wonder if boy ladybugs are called boybugs.
December 24, 2019
There are a lot of cute wonderings in this book, and Pak's gorgeous art works well with the dreamy, whimsical text.
March 15, 2024
Great in theory, poor in execution sadly.
December 1, 2019
A quiet, pensive book to encourage readers to do their own creative wondering.
October 21, 2019
This book’s illustrations are beautiful. It’s too bad that I didn’t like the text.
May 1, 2020
I Wonder by K. A. Holt, illustrated by Kenard Pak. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2019. $18. ISBN 9781524714222
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) � ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Composed almost entirely of questions, or sentences that begin with the words of the title, this book is a lovely reflection of how inquisitive and curious children are. Do tires get tired? Do trees have dreams? Do cars and trucks speak the same language? I don’t know but I’d love to have a conversation with a five- or six-year-old about any one of the ponderings in this book. Kids� questions are just that wonder-ful.
The style of the pencil and watercolor illustrations focus on what may have prompted the questions while inviting the reader’s imagination to soar as they contemplate possible answers. I can imagine a class using this book as a pattern to write their own I Wonder book.
P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) � ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Composed almost entirely of questions, or sentences that begin with the words of the title, this book is a lovely reflection of how inquisitive and curious children are. Do tires get tired? Do trees have dreams? Do cars and trucks speak the same language? I don’t know but I’d love to have a conversation with a five- or six-year-old about any one of the ponderings in this book. Kids� questions are just that wonder-ful.
The style of the pencil and watercolor illustrations focus on what may have prompted the questions while inviting the reader’s imagination to soar as they contemplate possible answers. I can imagine a class using this book as a pattern to write their own I Wonder book.
P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian
March 3, 2020
"Do tires get tired?" (My five-year-old: "NO!"). "What do clouds taste like?" ("WATER!"). "I wonder if shoes feel sad when they don't fit me anymore" ("PROBABLY NOT."). "Why don't shadows smile when you smile?" ("UM. DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY."). While I appreciate the sweet illustrations and "wonder-ful[l]" questions in this book, one of my favorite aspects of reading this to my two-year-old was my five-year-old standing behind us and bluntly answering each question. An Imagination Library book for 2-year-olds.
June 13, 2020
I love the illustrations in this book. It is mainly a series of questions that children may have about the world they live in - from "do tires get tired?" to "do my toys miss me when I’m gone?" It has a lyrical quality to it.
October 11, 2019
From waking up to finally going to bed, the day is filled with questions. There are questions about whether the sun is really a kite. Do tires get tired? What are boy ladybugs called? Where are the unicorns? Could your belly button hold a galaxy? How do shadows work? Are toys lonely or sad? Do trees dream? One after another the questions are asked and left unanswered for the reader to think about and ponder. The book ends with children being reminded that they wonder because they are wonderful.
Holt’s text is a series of marvelous questions that really get readers thinking about wild possibilities in the world. If you are sharing this book aloud, expect conversations about the questions, some of which could lead to great discussions about fascinating topics. It is also a great book to read and quietly think deep thoughts on your own too. Pak’s illustrations are filled with a diverse cast of characters. The images are ethereal. They are also beautifully structured with curves of road, bubbles in water, and the night sky all featured in the course of the book.
A book to marvel at and wonder with. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Holt’s text is a series of marvelous questions that really get readers thinking about wild possibilities in the world. If you are sharing this book aloud, expect conversations about the questions, some of which could lead to great discussions about fascinating topics. It is also a great book to read and quietly think deep thoughts on your own too. Pak’s illustrations are filled with a diverse cast of characters. The images are ethereal. They are also beautifully structured with curves of road, bubbles in water, and the night sky all featured in the course of the book.
A book to marvel at and wonder with. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
December 15, 2019
This one was a 3.5 for me, and I was pleasantly surprised that many of the things author K. A. Holt wonders about are similar to my own ponderings, now and as a youngster. There are several big questions presented here, and none of them have easy or simple answers. The ending page didn't necessarily seem to fit with the other wondering since it celebrates the uniqueness of the children with all those questions. It works, but the shift in perspective jarred me. I loved the artwork, created with watercolor, pencil, collage, ink, and digital media, because it lent a surreal, almost mystical air to these musings. Reading the book might prompt other youngsters to free their own curious natures or at the very least not make fun of those who view the world from different perspectives and raise those big and little questions that are fun to consider.
October 12, 2020
For children, asking a good question is an art form. As an adult, finding the patience to answer when they ask them over and over again is harder. In this fanciful picture book, the dynamic is switched. The good questions are asked to the child audience and they are left to ponder what they think the answer might be.
The mixed media illustrations have a softer tone and color palate and they often have a blurry, dream-like appearance adding to the “wonderfulness� of the world. This would make a good group read aloud for younger children, but I can see using this book as a starting point for elementary school children to write and illustrate their own imponderable questions.
I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library. This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
The mixed media illustrations have a softer tone and color palate and they often have a blurry, dream-like appearance adding to the “wonderfulness� of the world. This would make a good group read aloud for younger children, but I can see using this book as a starting point for elementary school children to write and illustrate their own imponderable questions.
I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library. This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
December 7, 2019
This book reminds me of something I heard in early recovery, as well as when getting my masters in adult education. The only stupid question is the one you're afraid of asking. This is a perfect book for little ones with a healthy curiosity, but more importantly for those who have been discouraged from asking why, or who were afraid to start asking in the first place. The illustrations are beautiful, each surrounding a very whimsical question. It's not only a perfect book for parents and grandparents to share during a family story time, it's a great one for a library to have so kids can feel good about curiosity. I can envision it leading to a personal or classroom question book that could easily fuel and sustain the love and value of personal learning.
January 2, 2020
Young children are often full of questions and this clever picture book celebrates the inquisitive nature of kids by posing a series of thoughtful questions. The pages are filled with art created with watercolor, pencil, collage, ink, and digital media and questions such as: What do stars do during the day? I wonder how tomorrow knows how to get here. Do my toys miss me when I'm gone? It would be fun to have kids come up with their own book of questions along with illustrations. It also might a neat writing activity to have children write their own answers to the questions in this book. It seems like there are lots of ways this book could be used to help spark creativity!
November 5, 2024
Let's start with the best part. The artwork is so wonderful. Each page has great ideas on it, one more surreal than the last. Kenard Pak really made a work of art here. I love it. It could be mixed media. Some thing look water color. He gets a lot of textures.
The text. There isn't much to it. It's a child asking questions on how the world works. Example: "Is cereal afraid of the spoon? I wonder if dragonflies dog paddle. They don't really relate to anything and there isn't anything that tries to pull all these questions together. It's just a book of questions about things. The artwork saves this.
I do wonder what children would think of this book.
The text. There isn't much to it. It's a child asking questions on how the world works. Example: "Is cereal afraid of the spoon? I wonder if dragonflies dog paddle. They don't really relate to anything and there isn't anything that tries to pull all these questions together. It's just a book of questions about things. The artwork saves this.
I do wonder what children would think of this book.
February 29, 2020
Children wonder about the world around them.
A diverse group of children living in different places ask different questions and ponder different things on a wide variety of topics, which invites young readers to be curious and use their imaginations.
The illustrations are soft and surreal. I loved the drawing with the unicorn peeking out from behind a wind turbine.
Disclosure: Dolly Parton was kind enough to send our family this book through her Imagination Library Foundation.
A diverse group of children living in different places ask different questions and ponder different things on a wide variety of topics, which invites young readers to be curious and use their imaginations.
The illustrations are soft and surreal. I loved the drawing with the unicorn peeking out from behind a wind turbine.
Disclosure: Dolly Parton was kind enough to send our family this book through her Imagination Library Foundation.
December 19, 2020
This is beautifully illustrated, very dreamy and surreal at times. A nice exploration of wondering and observing and questioning the world around us, full of questions a child might ask. Not my personal taste in text, though - a bit too abstract - but I can see others using it or enjoying it. It would make a great bedtime read (the questions kinda end with that 'good night' feel) or as a writing prompt for a young elementary school class.
August 26, 2021
Beautifully illustrated picture book with question after question that a curious child might ask. My favorites: Do bubbles tickle everything they touch? and What do stars do during the day?
Many of the questions in this book begin with, "I wonder," and the book ends with the statement, "You are wonderful." It was pure serendipity that I read this book immediately after reading Go Be Wonderful by Donna Gephart. I like the pairing very much.
Many of the questions in this book begin with, "I wonder," and the book ends with the statement, "You are wonderful." It was pure serendipity that I read this book immediately after reading Go Be Wonderful by Donna Gephart. I like the pairing very much.
January 8, 2020
This book is based on a series of questions wondered aloud by children. Some funny, some serious --each brought to life with engaging illustrations. With minimal print on each page (usually one question or comment), the book is easily accessible. It shows the question format on many pages for young writers to examine and learn from.
December 23, 2020
I'm all in favor of books that encourage children to exercise their imaginations. But not one of these questions went anywhere besides just asking something stupid. I wonder if the cereal is afraid of the spoon? Heck no. And of course science tells us what stars do during the day. Creativity means being creative, not just asking lame questions.
June 10, 2021
I think this would be a great one to kick of an inquiry unit or any kind of activity where you want to encourage kids to ask questions and to hang onto their curiosity. Everything we look at in this world can begin with a question and every child can be drawn into learning when we listen and allow them to come up with their own questions.
April 16, 2024
The book is filled with questions and wondering and, finally, validation. I love the idea of questioning and wondering about the world and what we see. This book is perfect for the early elementary kids filled with questions. The pictures help with the reader's imagination of the what-ifs presented. This one will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.
November 2, 2019
An interesting book to ponder with little ones. Some of the wonderings were a little too far out for my taste and threw science to the wind, but the book would be good to help generate inquiry questions with little ones. The illustrations were lovely.
November 7, 2019
There seems to be a LOT of "I'm starting to think big thoughts and want to know more" kind of books published this year. I haven't really connected with most of those titles but this one is a winner.
November 12, 2019
A great, short book about wondering. Reading this before beginning an inquiry project would be a fun hook. While silly in some ways--"Where are all the unicorns hiding?"--it's a good reminder that letting your brain run wild is a good way to start.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
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