Why Not?

by Mary Wormell

When his mother repeatedly tells him not to bother the other animals, Barnaby the kitten always "Why not?"

Genres: Animals, Picture Books, Kids, Cats, Childrens

Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple text, though the kitten, Barnaby, never learns his lesson (which he really needed to), but the illustrations are beautiful. They remind me of Drummer Hoff. Simple farmyard tale.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barnaby is a mischievous kitten who continually ask his mother why not, as he annoys all the farm animals while on the way home to have his supper. He soon finds out "why not?" as his annoyance gets him into a tight spot.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet picture book about a curious kitten learning the importance of boundaries and personal space. The illustrations are cute, and I think young children and anyone who likes cats or farm animals will enjoy this book!

[Gabriel · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5. I was a little pressed reading this book because they never explained to the cat what it was doing wrong, just told it to stop existing.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I liked it, especially the illustrations; but my five year old -- despite letting me read it to him twice-- says it's not all that good and no, he wouldn't want to take it out of the library again.

The defiant kitten (which I think is why my boy dislikes it), responds to his mother's every request not to hassle the barnyard animals with "Why Not?" The animals respond less than positively, until he runs away and gets stuck between two haybales. Fortunately, he is able to wiggle loose before the animals he annoyed catch up with him.

The illustrations are great, and I think the repetition of "why not?" and the responses is cool. Probably a good one for pointed booktalks, but also for children to laugh at the badly behaved kitten.

[Esmoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mischievous kitten bothers a bunch of barnyard animals and then makes a narrow escape when they chase him. There's no moral or real point to the story--in fact the kitten is disobedient throughout (it's kind of like The Pokey Little Puppy except without any resolution). Wormell's illustrations have a pleasant, old-timey feel, reminiscent of picture books from the early half of the 20th century (even though this one was written in 2000). We thought it was fine enough, but one reading was plenty for my son and he did not request it again.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why Not? is about a cute little kitten who gets several reminders from his Mother and some other animals along his way home. Reminders on not to bother the other animals. Barnaby isn't the best at listening so he has some close calls on the way.
Julia and I laughed quite a few times, mostly at the way the other animals come at Barnaby. The illustrations and big and bright and engaging.
I'd recommend for kids younger than Julia. At almost 6 she's a little older for this. Maybe from young to old toddler or even a little older.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the woodcut illustrations on this one and my 5 yr old son liked the story- even asking for an encore reading. He had read it on his own first (huddled by the nightlight after lights out) and told me it was really good, so that always bodes well in my book.

[Keia Arnold · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find much value in this book. It could potentially spark conversation about why adults tell children not to do certain things. Other than that, I didn't think this book has very much academic value.

[Bailee Morillo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a simple book but I liked it because it would be good for a first grade class room level. There aren't many books that children can read on their own and I think this is a decently easy one for children. And it can relate to the children who are mischievous.