Book excerpt: Kids ask the darndest things . . . and here are the answers—all in one helpful book! Anyone who has ever been a kid, raised a kid, or spent any time with kids knows that asking questions is a critical part of being a kid. Kids have curious minds, and they come up with some very interesting questions. Why do dogs bark? Why is the sky blue? Why do people have to grow old? Questions like these are how kids find out about the world, and these questions deserve answers. But the truth is, adults don’t always know the answers. The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) comes to the rescue! Written with a child's imagination in mind, this easy-to-understand book is a launching pad for curious young minds and a life raft for parents at wits end. It addresses nearly 800 queries with enough depth and detail to both satisfy the curiosity of persistent young inquisitors and provide parents with a secure sense of a job well done. It'll equip every parent for those difficult, absurd, or sometimes funny questions from their kids, such as … Why do people speak different languages? Why do I cry? How can fish breathe underwater? Can people who die see and talk with living people after they are gone? Why do women in some countries wear veils? How did my life begin? How does a vacuum cleaner pick up dirt? How does my body know to wake up when morning comes? With numerous photos and illustrations, this tome is richly illustrated, and its helpful bibliography and extensive index add to its usefulness. A launching pad for inquisitive young minds and a life raft for parents who are at their wits’ end, The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) is a book that every parent needs, and every kid will covet!