Questions Without Answers

by Sarah Manguso, Liana Finck (illustrator)

Pondering the questions only kids would think to ask, this hilarious, poignant collection captures the wonder of a child's imagination, brought to life by beloved New Yorker cartoonist Liana Finck.

“This book is for anyone who has secret questions in their mind they are too embarrassed to ask out loud. In other words, this book is for everyone.”—Lemony Snicket, bestselling author of A Series of Unfortunate Events and All the Wrong Questions

Does the rain know that people love to play in the rain? Are the bubbles in drinks their thoughts? Do dogs have chins? What does it feel like on the last day you’re a child?

What’s the best question a kid ever asked you? When Sarah Manguso opened a Twitter account and posted this single (and only) tweet, she immediately received hundreds of answers. Many, she discovered, were intelligent, intuitive, inventive, and philosophical. In the process of assembling them, the questions seemed to form a “choral philosophy” that she believes disappears from most people’s lives in kindergarten. As Sarah Manguso says in her illuminating foreword, “These questions are cute by the word’s original definition, swift and piercing. They cut to the quick.”

Gathering a hundred of the best questions from this poll, as well as her own experience as a mom, and bringing them brilliantly to life with illustrations by New Yorker cartoonist Liana Finck, Questions Without Answers ranges from the ridiculous to the sublime--encompassing birth, death, poop, dinosaurs, and everything in between--to show us the wit and wisdom of little people in all their wondrous glory.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Humor, Comics, Philosophy, Parenting

176 pages, Hardcover

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Sarah Manguso is the author of nine books, most recently the novel LIARS.

Her previous novel, VERY COLD PEOPLE, was longlisted for the Wingate Literary Prize, the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, and the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award.

Her other books include a story collection, two poetry collections, and four acclaimed works of nonfiction: 300 ARGUMENTS, ONGOINGNESS, THE GUARDIANS, and THE TWO KINDS OF DECAY.

Her work has been recognized by an American Academy of Arts and Letters Literature Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Rome Prize. Her writing has been translated into thirteen languages.

She grew up in Massachusetts and now lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[emma]

i love the random things kids say. so yeah i'm down to read a book of them

[nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Major thanks to Hogarth for sending this over in exchange for my honest thoughts:

i read this at Disneyland while waiting for rides lol

cute! funny ! craaazy what kids think of. this is the kind of book i’d immediately write off as a potty reader or a fun gift, but it’s also a call to action to honor our childhood imagination and how we can awaken that in our adult lives. so much is lost when our childhood imagination dies. when was the last time joy or happiness found you because you thought back to when you were a kid? created caricatures of circus animals in the clouds? when was the last time you dreamed? what will you imagine?

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Liana Finck and as a parent I think of/am haunted by one particular comic of hers (“When do we tell him?”) probably once a week. Her distinct style lends itself so well to this slim volume of questions from kids, from the oddball to the oddly profound. At 32$ CAD and about 10 mins cover to cover, this was a steep read, but it is one that will appeal to parents of preschoolers and anyone who appreciates the often striking philosophical depth of the very young child. It also reminded me a whole lot of Ruth Krauss/Maurice Sendak’s A Hole Is To Dig; I’d love to know if this was an influence.

[JAGraham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Questions

A lot was promised, but not delivered. Perhaps you have to be there to appreciate the questions children ask. Ripped out of context this selection is not terribly interesting.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

i adore these illustrations i need them all tattooed

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like being in a classroom of kindergarteners all day oh wait I am lol it was innocent and funny to think about the questions a very fast read

[Chitrranshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questions Without Answers is my first read by Sarah Manguso, and it left a quiet impact. The book gathers a hundred real questions asked by children—each one a small window into how deeply and originally young minds perceive the world. Questions like "What does a tree mean?", "What does it feel like on the last day you’re a child?", and "Are the bubbles in drinks their thoughts?" aren’t just amusing—they linger. They gently push us to look at the world with more openness, curiosity, and humility. Liana Finck’s illustrations, soft and expressive, add a tender charm to each page, turning these questions into small works of wonder.

What I appreciated most is how the book captures something fleeting—how children naturally ask questions adults are too busy or afraid to ask. There’s something deeply moving in lines like "If everyone becomes a ghost, how are we not flooded with ghosts?" or "Do dogs have chins?" They seem silly at first, but many carry a philosophical weight that lingers in the mind. The book doesn’t try to provide answers—it simply reminds us that asking is just as important.

It’s a thoughtful, beautifully curated collection that made me pause and think more than I expected. Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or just someone drawn to the quiet depth of childhood wonder, this book will speak to you. It reminded me that sometimes the most profound thoughts come not from knowing, but from daring to ask—“What is a moment?”, “Why do we like music?”, “Did dinosaurs love each other?” This is one of those rare books that invites you to stay curious.

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantó la simple premisa y la belleza del resultado: cuál es la pregunta más extraña que te ha hecho un niño/niña? Las preguntas van acompañadas de una simple ilustración, es una preciosura de libro con preguntas inocentes de niñeces que tienen mucha más profundidad de la que quizás esperas y que te dejará pensando más de lo que te imaginas: Por qué nos gusta la música? Qué hacen los ojos cuando nos morimos? Qué es un país? Qué hace a alguien feo/a? Si todos se convierten en fantasmas, como no estamos inundados de fantasmas? Se amaban los dinosaurios? Hablan los animales de nosotros así como nosotros hablamos de ellos todo el tiempo? Hermoso!

[Bryan Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Sarah Manguso, but this tiny book, a series of illustrated questions in response to the crowdsourced prompt "What's the best question a kid ever asked you?" fell flat, largely because, in direct contradiction to the book's title, many of these questions DO, in fact, have answers. Yeah, I know, maybe as someone without kids, I'm not the target audience here, but still, I expected more from this.

[Alice A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as young minds ask infinite questions, some with answers, and others without, it reminds me that (if we dare to dig deep) the answers do exist within us. In its simplicity you can find depth and yes, even more questions. Isn't that what life is about? Asking and seeking, asking and seeking... learning and growing in the process.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What was the first song?" "What's the difference between stop and wait?" "What does a tree mean?" "What is a moment?" Some of the questions asked by children in this book are surprisingly deep; it is very interesting to see this process documented. The simple art of Liana Fink goes very well with the questions asked in this book.

[Kayla B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge Liana Finck fan so had to grab this from the library. Probably won’t count it towards my Books Read Challenge seeing as it’s one question with the cutest illustrations on each page, but did get a chuckle from some of the questions. The illustrations were amazing, just as I expected l

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone who deals with children, in whatever capacity that may be. A great mix of questions (without answers) from children that is sure to garner a few laughs. A super quick and surprisingly wise and touching read.

[Jasmine Ballard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. kids say the darndest things sometimes.

[April Peveteaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

[Barb Hildebrandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept. I especially loved the illustrations.

[Poppy]

What’s not to like about this?

[Ayesha Jehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of wonder!
Made me giggle & often laugh out loud… & at times, contemplate answers to questions that felt beautifully existential!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot stop crying, I'm laughing so hard! but it's also making my heart hurt in a good way!