★ A beautifully crafted philosophical picture book that encourages children to think, imagine, and question the world around them
★ Twenty-four short questions that invite open-ended reflection, making the book ideal for shared reading and discussion
★ A poetic and accessible text that balances depth with playfulness
★ Striking illustrations that combine drawing and photography, offering a fresh and original visual experience
★ Perfect for repeated readings, with each page opening new interpretations and conversations

What is the sky?
Why do we die?
What is infinity?
Why do trees bloom every spring?
Where do dragons live?

In this luminous and original picture book, Guia Risari gathers twenty-four universal questions — the kind children ask naturally and adults often struggle to answer. Her responses are playful, unexpected, and poetic: trees bloom because they are incorrigible optimists; bees make honey because they don’t know how to make jam; we are born out of curiosity.

Rather than offering scientific explanations, the book celebrates imagination as a way of knowing. Each spread pairs a short question-and-answer exchange with Marianna Balducci’s visually rich compositions, where drawing merges seamlessly with photography, creating surprising and dreamlike scenes.

The result is a book that can be read again and again, each time opening new interpretations and conversations — an ode to curiosity, to shared reflection, and to the endless pleasure of asking “why?”

【Author】
Guia Risari was born in 1971 in Milan, where she graduated in Ethics at Università Statale with a dissertation on Jean Améry. She specialised in Modern Jewish Studies at Leeds University, with an M.A. dissertation on Italian antisemitism. Later, she moved to France where, while writing and translating, she taught and carried on researches in Socio-criticism, History, Oral Literature and Comparative Migration Literature. As a children’s author she has published dozens of award-winning titles. She writes and publishes in four languages.

【Illustrator】
Marianna Balducci is a renowned Italian illustrator, celebrated for her innovative approach to visual storytelling. With a background in fashion and advertising, she seamlessly blends traditional illustration with photography and digital techniques, creating unique and thought-provoking imagery. Her talent has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Premio Nati per Leggere (2018) for Il viaggio di Piedino and the Premio Andersen (2021) for Io sono foglia (both published by Bacchilega Junior). Her works are widely appreciated for their ability to evoke emotions, stimulate curiosity, and offer new perspectives through metaphorical and poetic illustrations. Marianna collaborates with major publishers, educational institutions, and cultural organizations, bringing her artistic vision to books, advertising, and editorial projects. She is also a passionate educator, sharing her expertise through collaborations with institutions like Mimaster Illustrazione Milano.