TORREY, Richard. Because. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. June 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-156173-3. LC 2010010510.
PreS-Gr 1–Young Jack promises to show examples of why “because” is a “real answer.” Amusing drawings and the boy’s single-sentence clarifications for questionable behavior justify why cereal is spread across the floor, why the dog is in time-out, and why boy and dog are covered in strawberry icing. Readers don’t truly learn why Jack is swathed in Band-Aids, but Torrey skillfully counterpoints scenes such as the child relinquishing his teddy and blanket, then reclaiming the toy “Because he needs me.” The final “because” effectively wraps up the tale, as Jack gently embraces his tethered tail-wagging pooch: “Because sometimes I have to play with my other friends.” Torrey paints scenes of a suburban family with a fully stocked kitchen and toy chest, a beach vacation, and an iPod. The story will allow youngsters to recall fondly their own “because” moments.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
From the Kiss The Book Blog (http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2011/05/because-by-richard-torrey-essential.html)
…can’t won’t say anything more than that.
I just wanted to thank librarian, Pat Adamko and all those who attended for making my visit to the Comsewogue Public Library so special. It is always a privilege and an honor to be able to speak to readers, young and old, about my work, and last night was no exception! I hope everyone had a good time.
