A Wonderleaf question
Why do we cry tears?
a real page from the book
We cry because tears do several kinds of work: they moisten eyes, rinse away irritants, and sometimes signal big feelings before words arrive. A small gland above each eye makes the liquid, and every blink smooths it over the eyeball so vision stays clear and comfortable.
Tears are not plain water. They include mucus to help them cling, salts and proteins in the watery layer, and oil that slows drying. Extra tears drain into the nose, which is why a crying child often needs both a tissue and a cuddle.
Wonder words
- lacrimal
- mucus
- reflex
- basal
Try it out
Stare gently without blinking for a few seconds, then blink and notice how quickly your eyes feel better.
Read the whole picture book
Watercolour scenes, straight answers, about three minutes cover to cover.
Open the picture bookKeep wondering
- Why does hair grow?
- How do germs get inside the body?
- Why do we sweat?
- Why does my stomach growl?
- Why do we have a belly button?
- Why do we get goosebumps?
And the next question?
Ask anything — Wonderleaf writes and illustrates a picture book for it. That's the whole idea.
Ask your own question