THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Juster, Norton. 2005. THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. Ill. by Chris Raschka. New York. Michael Di Capua Books. ISBN 978-0786809141

2. PLOT SUMMARY

THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW is a fun, picture book about a little girl who comes to visit her grandparents, Nanny and Poppy, while her parents are away or at work. In the front of the grandparents home is a large picture window that that allows the little girl (and her grandparents) to look inside the window and to see outside on the world, use their imaginations and create fantasies. This is the window that everyone can see when walking up to the house, but the she can see more than most. Most of the story is lived in the kitchen near the hello goodbye window where lessons about naps, poisons in the cupboard, crossing the streets and the stars are taught.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This picture book is written from the first-person perspective of a young girl. Although no description is given of the girl, she is likely a pre-schooler whose imagination is larger than life.

The story is a realistic portrayal of what could happen in the happy memories of any young child who spends time with loving grandparents. Both Nanny and Poppy have very specific roles. Each of their conversations is fun for the little girl and provides valuable life lessons.

Chris Raschka’s bright, watercolor-looking illustrations are childlike and clear enough to enhance the story. These illustrations are also vague enough so that a young child reading the story could add interesting thoughts of their own. The drawings show a multi-racial family, although this facet of the story is not mentioned in the text. The pages are unnumbered, but the story is such length that it could easily be read in one setting and hold the attention of the 3-6 year old.

The story was told with the pictures, supplemented by the words. There are an average of about 6 short lines on a 10 by 14-inch page, allowing the reader an opportunity to explore the story further by studying the pages of pictures. The pictures compliment and enhance the written words.

HELLO, GOODBYE, WINDOW demonstrates how learning can take place during playtime for children. There is much in the story that will help a child discuss his own family and extended family situation. Each child will find something that he can relate to in the story. This is the kind of book that a child will enjoy reading more than once.

With scaffolding, a seven-year old first grader read the story with little difficulty. I noticed that some “text” was added by the child that was not printed on the page because he was studying and reading the illustrations.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred Review in School Library Journal: “The first-person text is both simple and sophisticated, conjuring a perfectly child-centered world. Sentences such as "When I get tired I come in and take my nap and nothing happens until I get up" typify the girl's happy, imaginative world. While the language is bouncy and fun, it is the visual interpretation of this sweet story that sings. Using a bright rainbow palette of saturated color, Raschka's impressionistic, mixed-media illustrations portray a loving, mixed-race family”

Starred Review in Booklist: “Raschka's swirling lines, swaths, and dabs of fruity colors seem especially vibrant...capture both the tender moments between members of the interracial family and the exuberance

5. CONNECTIONS

Scholastic.com recommends the following related resources:

Ardagh, Philip, A HOUSE CALLED AWFUL END. ISBN 0-8050-6828-7

Hamilton, Virginia, COUSINS. ISBN: 0590454366

During the introduction to the story, students can be asked by the teacher to tell they who they think the pictures are on the cover. Children can be asked if they have special nicknames for their grandparents and to discuss some good fun that they have had with them. In addition, a brief discussion can be had about different kinds of loving families.