Why Are You Doing That?

Why Are You Doing That?

Written by: Amado, Elisa
Illustrated by: Monroy, Manuel
ages 3 to 7 / grades P to 2

Chepito is full of questions. Why is his mother cooking eggs and frying beans? Why is Manuel digging around the corn? Why is Ramón milking the cow? Why is Maria slapping dough between her hands? In this simply told story, a little boy learns all about food and where it comes from.

Following on the success of What Are You Doing? Elisa Amado and Manuel Monroy have created another gem of a picture book, this time about food — where it comes from, how we nurture food plants and animals, and what we eat to be healthy and strong.

Manuel Monroy sweetly depicts Chepito’s world — a rural community where people grow much of their own food and raise chickens and cows — giving young children a clear picture of the origins of foods they consume every day.

Includes a short glossary.

Chepito is full of questions. Why is his mother cooking eggs and frying beans? Why is Manuel digging around the corn? Why is Ramón milking the cow? Why is Maria slapping dough between her hands? In this simply told story, a little boy learns all about food and where it comes from.

Following on the success of What Are You Doing? Elisa Amado and Manuel Monroy have created another gem of a picture book, this time about food — where it comes from, how we nurture food plants and animals, and what we eat to be healthy and strong.

Manuel Monroy sweetly depicts Chepito’s world — a rural community where people grow much of their own food and raise chickens and cows — giving young children a clear picture of the origins of foods they consume every day.

Includes a short glossary.

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Jun 1, 2014
Specifications 28 pages | 7 in x 8 in
Supporting Resources
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Teacher's Guide
Written By

ELISA AMADO is a Guatemalan-born author and translator. She has written My Friend (Mi amiga), illustrated by Alfonso Ruano; Un Barrilete para el Día de los Muertos / Barrilete: A Kite for the Day of the Dead; Cousins (Primas), illustrated by Luis Garay; Tricycle (El triciclo), illustrated by Alfonso Ruano, which is on the Américas Award Commended List and is a USBBY Outstanding International Book; and What Are You Doing? and Why Are You Doing That?, both illustrated by Manuel Monroy. She lives in Toronto.

Illustrated by Manuel Monroy is one of Mexico’s most accomplished, award-winning illustrators whose work has appeared in children’s books, in magazines, on posters, and most recently in animation projects. He has also exhibited his art in Mexico, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands. Manuel lives in Mexico City.
Written By

ELISA AMADO is a Guatemalan-born author and translator. She has written My Friend (Mi amiga), illustrated by Alfonso Ruano; Un Barrilete para el Día de los Muertos / Barrilete: A Kite for the Day of the Dead; Cousins (Primas), illustrated by Luis Garay; Tricycle (El triciclo), illustrated by Alfonso Ruano, which is on the Américas Award Commended List and is a USBBY Outstanding International Book; and What Are You Doing? and Why Are You Doing That?, both illustrated by Manuel Monroy. She lives in Toronto.

Illustrated by
Manuel Monroy is one of Mexico’s most accomplished, award-winning illustrators whose work has appeared in children’s books, in magazines, on posters, and most recently in animation projects. He has also exhibited his art in Mexico, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands. Manuel lives in Mexico City.
Audience ages 3 to 7 / grades P to 2
Reading Levels Reading Recovery 18
Guided Reading K
Lexile AD470L

Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2014

“An energetic, simple exploration of food’s journey from farm to table for today’s young locavores.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Using an earthy palette of greens, browns, and oranges, the pictures have a strong sense of place . . . [A] strong selection for libraries dedicated to maintaining diverse collections.” —School Library Journal

“What may appear to be a simple book about a child and his questions ends up being a very clever story about where food comes from as the farm to table movement grows, it is a wonderful lesson to teach young children. . . . Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine

“Why Are You Doing That? not only tells a charming story, but, as an added benefit, shows young readers how their food winds up on their plate.” —National Post

“Together, Amado and Monroy present Chepito’s world as a pleasant and purposeful one where children, adults, animals, and crops are bound together in a traditional and appealing way of life.” —Quill & Quire