Genre 1: Caldecott Award Winning Picture Books

Bibliography

Juster, Norton. The Hello, Goodbye Window. Ill. by Chris Raschka. ISBN 0-7868-0914-0

Plot Summary

The story in book, The Hello, Goodbye Window, speaks of the wonderful bond between grandparents and grandchildren. We follow a young child while she is visiting her grandparent's home. At "Nanna's and Poppy's house," what she affectionately calls them, there is a "hello and a goodbye window" that bonds the family. So many things are shared through this window and many of the child's life's joy comes by simply seeing Grandma smile or watching the stars at night through this wonderful window. Either coming or going, the child knows that there will be a great experience never to be forgotten viewed out of this the kitchen window. The only sad feeling the child feels is when she has to leave to go home.

Critical Analysis

Norton Juster helps to convince the reader what most of us already know: that family ties are important in children's lives. In this book, happiness is spread all over the pages. Be it through hugs, shaing breakfast, or listening to Grandpa play the Harmonica, we can feel the love this family shares radiating through the pages. The book brings the reader back in time to when they were eager to visit their grandparents home because there would definitely be a treat, a hug, and a warm, smiling face awaiting them.

The illustrations make the reader almost feel as if they were apart of this caring family. A sense of true contentment between them is realized by the always cheerful faces of the characters. Juster's use of imagery helps make this story of family bonding unforgettable.

Review Excerpts

Caldecott Award 2006

Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor award

Starred review in School Library Journal: "Perfect for lapsharing, this book will find favor with children and adults alike."

Starred Review in Publishers Weekly: "Juster crafts a cozy portrait of a grandchild and her grandparents in this endearing book, illustrated in paintbox colors..."

Connections

*This book will be enjoyed by children because it will remind them of the exciting times spent at their grandparent's home.

*Another book that speaks of a grandparent's love:

Grandmother and I. Helen E. Buckley and Jan Ormerod. ISBN 068812531x

* Gather other books by Norton Juster:

The Pantom and Tollbooth. ISBN 0394820371

The Dot and the Line. ISBN 1587170663