The Hello, Goodbye Window

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Juster, Norton, 2005. THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. Ill. by Raschka, Chris. New York: Michael Di Capua Books. ISBN-13: 9789573259947

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This story does not have a typical plotline with a problem and solution. Juster’s story chronicles a day in the life of a young child at Nanna and Poppy’s house. The story, told through the voice of this young child, explains to the reader the many wonderful adventures that occur when she is totally doted on by loving grandparents. Her day is filled with joy, security, and wonder as she takes turns spending time with two people she loves and love her in return. One recurring object in the house is the Hello, Goodbye Window. Through this window the family greets each other upon arriving and gazes longingly as they wave goodbye. The window is the portal to the bedtime stars and the entry place of the morning sun.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Norton’s nameless main character is egocentric in a way that most three to four year old children are, as evidenced when she claims, “When I get tired I come in and take my nap and nothing happens until I get up.” The voice resonating through the book is that of a youngster that children may relate to because it mimics the way they observe the world. Norton’s placement of the text on the page is poetic. His sentences are separated into phrases, supporting fluency as children read or listen to the story. The text is large and bold, which contrasts with the impressionistic artwork of the illustrator. An adult reading the story may relive his or her own memories of a grandparent. Grandparents reading the story may feel an emotional connection to the author’s depiction of the important role they have in the lives of their grandchildren.

Chris Raschka’s Caldecott winning impressionistic illustrations are a created using watercolors, pastel crayons, and charcoal pencil. The images are childlike with busy, yet not overwhelming lines and squiggles, complementing this story told through the eyes and voice of the main character. The lines and movement he creates to depict the emotions of the characters add to the charm and comprehension of the story. Raschka’s two page illustration of a child and her grandmother saying goodnight to the stars out the Hello, Goodbye Window adds a magical quality to the story as the main character explains to the reader that her nanna knows them all.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Caldecott Medal Winner: 2006 “Raschka’s style resembles the spontaneous drawings of children, perfectly mirroring the guileless young narrator’s exuberant voice.”

Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 2006 Notable Children’s Books: 2006
ALA Notable Children's Book: 2006
A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of 2005
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2005
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2005
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book, 2005
A Nick Jr. Best Book of the Year
A Parenting Magazine Best Book of the Year 2005
A Child Magazine Best Book of the Year 2005
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, 2005
Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor: 2005
Booksense Children's Pick: 2005
A Zolotow Highly Commended Book
CCBC Choices 2006
Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year (Outstanding Merit): 2006

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Raschka’s visual interpretation of this sweet story sings… this is the art of a masterful hand.”

Starred KIRKUS review 3/1/05: “Juster adopts the voice of a child with a steady, sweet candor.”

Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Two well-known names come together in a book that speaks to the real lives of children.”

Starred review in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Juster crafts an endearing portrait of a grandchild and her grandparents in this endearing book illustrated in paintbox colors by Raschka. . . Grandparents will be especially charmed by this relaxed account of how a child's visit occasions everyday magic."

5. CONNECTIONS
My six year old granddaughter read this book to me and marveled at the illustrations. “I bet I could draw that picture, “she exclaimed. We sat in the middle of a king-sized bed, supported by a sea of pillows and explored each line and illustration. Her favorite illustrations were on pages 10 and 11 as the little girl watched in amazement as Poppy played the harmonica and page 23, as the child and her poppy played with the garden hose.

Enjoy the illustrations of other books illustrated by Chris Raschka, winner of the Caldecott Award For example:
YO! YES?, ISBN-13: 978-0531071083 PARKER PLAYED BE BOP, ISBN-13: 978-0531059999 FISHING IN THE AIR, ISBN-13: 978-0060281113 SOURPUSS AND SWEETIE PIE, ISBN-13: 978-0439929431 GOOD SPORTS: RHYMES ABOUT RUNNING, JUMPING, THROWING, ISBN-13:9780375837005