“Does the universe have an end? Like, is there a barrier?” my son Anton questioned when he was five. Author Sarah Manguso and illustrator Liana Finck were captivated by this kind of childlike wonder, prompting them to collect thousands of inquiries from children (including their own) and illustrate their top selections in a stunning book, Questions Without Answers. Below are some pages from the book, along with a Q&A featuring the authors…
Joanna: Was it challenging to select the questions for the book? My sons have asked so many, such as, ‘Do you need to pay the bank to get cash?’ and ‘Why can’t I see my own eyes?!’
Sarah: Certain contrasts can make individual queries seem sillier or more poignant. A child might inquire if clowns pee blue, right after asking about your mortality. Among my favorites in our book is, ‘Was mom ever a baby too? Did I play with her?’
Liana: Here are the most recent additions to my phone list of questions my three-year-old has posed: Do you receive a lollipop when you exit jail? Who drew the mustache on your face? What hue is it inside you? Why do squirrels usually remain silent? Do older babies sip apple juice from their mothers? There are so many more. I’m holding back.
I was moved by the book’s introduction emphasizing how perceptive children are. Sarah, you noted, ‘I discovered that kids are rapidly-learning engines of creativity and experimentation. I observed my child make sense of the world not as a naive angel but as a measuring, recalling machine.’ What prompted this insight for you?
Sarah: I enjoyed expressing why these questions intrigue me — essentially, it’s that kids are diligent empiricists. When he was four, my son bombarded me with three queries simultaneously: When I was in your body, did you know me? Was I eager to meet you? Did I create the world? All three made the book, in that order.
Liana: Sarah’s introduction serves as a strong blue shadow behind the questions in the book.
I got emotional while reading the book, especially at the inquiry, ‘When you pass away, can I accompany you?’
Sarah: A lot of the questions resonate with me deeply. For me, a surefire tearjerker is, ‘After they lay you to rest, when do they return to dig you up again?’
I recall at my grandmother’s funeral, the vicar mentioned, ‘Now your grandmother will be with your grandfather in the cemetery, or wherever they may be in the grand mystery.’ I adored that expression — so much of existence is enigmatic, regardless of our age.
Sarah: That vicar understood that kids don’t need to be sheltered from the grand mystery. I remember inquiring with my mother about the origin of babies, but the only part of her answer I recall is: You have to have a special kind of egg. For years, I pondered what type of egg I’d need to eat and if I could accidentally consume it.
Liana: All I recall today is that instead of diminishing my fear of monsters, the Sesame Street characters all transformed into truly horrifying monsters in my imagination.
What other children’s books do you enjoy?
Liana: The ones I cherished while growing up, by William Steig, Maurice Sendak, Ruth Krauss, and Maira Kalman, because they are (1) mind-expanding and (2) deeply meaningful for me. Two recent finds, both cosmic in nature, are: Time is a Flower by Julie Morstad, and Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers.
Sarah: I adore Syd Hoff’s The Horse in Harry’s Room. Harry shares with his class about his imaginary horse during show-and-tell, which prompts laughter from the other children. Then the teacher interjects, ‘Sometimes imagining something is akin to actually having it.’ For younger children, I cherish Margaret Wise Brown’s I Like Stars, which isn’t nearly as renowned as her bestsellers Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Reading this book — particularly when sleep-deprived, as most new parents are — feels like a psychedelic journey.
Thank you, Sarah and Liana! Questions Without Answers is exquisite.
P.S. Sex-positive parenting for conservatives and five children’s books on bereavement.
(Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt, 1963, captured at a puppet theatre in Paris at the moment St. George defeats the dragon.)
**Profound Questions Children Frequently Pose and Their Significance**
Children are often perceived as innocent and inquisitive beings, continuously investigating their surroundings. While their questions may occasionally appear trivial or humorous, many are surprisingly deep, touching on philosophical, existential, and emotional subjects. These inquiries not only mirror a child’s emerging cognitive and emotional comprehension but also provide adults a unique view into the human experience. In this article, we delve into some of the most profound questions children frequently ask and what these questions reveal about their inner landscapes.
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### 1. **“Where did I come from?”**
**What it reveals:**
This question is typically one of the initial existential queries a child poses. It showcases a growing recognition of self and origin. Children start to realize that they are distinct individuals and become curious about how they came to be. This question can lead to discussions about biology, reproduction, family heritage, or even spiritual viewpoints, depending on the situation.
**Why it matters:**
It highlights a child’s need to comprehend their place in the universe and their bond with others. It also signifies the onset of abstract reasoning and the capacity to conceptualize time and causality.
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### 2. **“Why do people die?”**
**What it reveals:**
This question often surfaces after a child faces the loss of a pet, a family member, or hears about death in stories or the media. It represents an initial encounter with the idea of mortality and the finality of loss.
**Why it matters:**
It indicates a child’s emotional growth and their efforts to make sense of grief, fear, and the unknown. The manner in which adults respond can significantly influence a child’s perceptions of life, death, and mechanisms for coping.
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### 3. **“What is God?” or “Is there a God?”**
**What it reveals:**
This question reflects a child’s budding spiritual and philosophical inquiry. Regardless of their upbringing in a religious context, children often ponder the existence of a higher power or the beginnings of the universe.
**Why it matters:**
It illustrates the advancement of abstract thinking and the quest to find meaning that transcends the physical realm. It also lays the groundwork for discussions about belief structures, values, and cultural diversity.
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### 4. **“Why do people look different?”**
**What it reveals:**
This question frequently emerges from noticing diversity in race, ethnicity, or physical characteristics. It exemplifies a child’s developing understanding of social identity and variation.
**Why it matters:**
It provides an avenue to teach empathy, acceptance, and respect for diversity. It also demonstrates that children are beginning to grasp social classifications and may be constructing their own identity.
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### 5. **“What is love?”**
**What it reveals:**
Children frequently hear the term “love” but might find it challenging to comprehend its various forms—familial, platonic, romantic. This inquiry reflects their endeavor to understand complex feelings and relationships.
**Why it matters:**
It underscores emotional acumen and the desire for connection with others. It also presents an opportunity to model healthy emotional expression and relationships.
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### 6. **“Why do people hurt each other?”**
**What it reveals:**
This question may arise after observing bullying, conflict, or violence. It reveals a child’s inherent sense of justice and confusion about cruelty or injustice.
**Why it matters:**
It unveils moral maturation and empathy. Addressing this question aids children in understanding human actions, ethics, and the significance of kindness and conflict resolution.
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### 7. **“What happens when we sleep?”**
**What it reveals:**
This question signifies a child’s curiosity surrounding consciousness and the unknown. Sleep, dreams, and the concept of being unaware for extended periods can be both intriguing and daunting.
**Why it matters:**
It indicates an increasing awareness of the mind-body connection and can lead to discussions about health, rest, and even the subconscious.
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### 8. **“Can animals talk?”**
**What it reveals:**
This question usually arises from a child’s affection for animals and tales where animals exhibit human characteristics. It reflects imaginative thought and a longing to connect with the natural world.
**Why it matters:**
It shines a light on creativity and empathy. It also invites dialogue about communication, intelligence, and the distinctions between humans and animals.
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### 9. **“Why can’t I do what I want?”**
**What it reveals:**
This inquiry often surfaces in response to rules or limitations. It highlights a child’s struggles with autonomy and authority.
**Why it matters:**
It reveals the evolution of self-identity and the need for independence. It also creates an occasion to teach about boundaries, accountability, and social cooperation.
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### 10. **“What is time?”**
**What it reveals:**
Children begin to perceive the flow of time and may grapple with grasping its abstract quality. This question points to cognitive advancement and the
