Why Is the Sky Blue?

Grindley, S. (1997). Why is the sky
blue? New York, N.Y: Simon &
Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Why Is the Sky Blue? 

By Sally Grindley

Illustrated by Susan Varley 

Simon & Schuster's Books for Young Readers

New York, New York 

1996
32 pages

Why Is the Sky Blue? by Sally Grindley is a wonderful children's picture book about a curious rabbit and a wise old donkey. Rabbit decides that he wants to learn everything there is to learn; Donkey agrees to teach Rabbit, as long as he sits still and listens. The first thing Donkey wants to teach Rabbit is why the sky is blue. However, Rabbit is very curious about lots of other things and runs about to make new discoveries. This process repeats itself quite a few times, every time Donkey promising to tell Rabbit why the sky is blue the next morning. One day, Donkey doesn't see Rabbit in the field. He goes off to look for the little rabbit, wondering if he might have gotten into trouble. As Donkey begins his search for Rabbit, he begins to discover things he never knew before and experience things he hasn't felt in a long time - finally he comes across Rabbit, who announces that he knows why the sky is blue... Why do you think the sky is blue? 

Beautiful, colorful illustrations

Simple vocabulary perfect for pre-schoolers, kindergarteners, and first graders

Purchase the book here.

In the classroom: 

Consider having students sort short quotes/phrases by which character said them.
Complete characterization charts for Donkey and Rabbit.
Explore punctuation like question marks and quotation marks.