How & Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Read & Tell

Written by Martha Hamilton

Have you ever stopped to really look at a spider’s web? If it’s only meant to catch flies, why does it shimmer with such delicate, beautiful patterns? Have you ever wondered what makes thunder rumble, why the ocean tastes salty, or how tigers came to wear their bold stripes?

This collection gathers delightful “why” stories from many cultures and time periods—tales that imagine how animals, plants, and natural wonders came to look or behave the way they do.

After each story, readers will find simple tips for telling it aloud. These suggestions—designed especially with children in mind—offer ideas for pacing, expression, gestures, and body language. Each tale is also paired with a brief, modern scientific explanation of its theme, along with a map showing where in the world the story originated.