The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster

2006 Caldecott Award
1. Bibliography
Juster, Norton. 2005. THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. Ill. by Chris Raschka. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786809140.

2. Plot Summary
A little girl goes to visit her grandparents, whose kitchen window symbolizes the fun to be had there. All the memorable events that take place at Nanna and Poppy’s house—the excitement of first arriving there to stargazing with Nanna to pretend-play with Poppy--are anchored, in her mind, to the window.

3. Critical Analysis
Norton Juster explores the bond between grandchild and grandparents. Nanna and Poppy are portrayed with warmth and comfortable charm as they spend time with the girl. They pretend-play and stargaze and sing and work in the garden together, all with smiles on their faces, creating an unwavering sense of security. On a deeper level, this book is about the duality of experience, the two sides of a coin. As the girl says near the end when her parents pick her up, “I’m glad because we’re going home, but it makes me sad too because I have to leave Nanna and Poppy. You can be happy and sad at the same time, you know. It just happens that way sometimes.”

Chris Raschka’s illustrations underscore the warmth with bright swaths of color. Oranges, reds, and browns that feel like a hug contrast with vivid shades of blue, yellow, and verdant green that smell like sunshine and freshly cut grass. That contrast provides yet another paradox: we are held close, yet feel free. Even the blurred boundaries and smudged look of the expressionist drawings reflect the dream-like “warm fuzzy” that is time spent with grandparents.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal—“Perfect for lap-sharing, this book will find favor with children and adults alike.”
Horn Book— "A varied layout, balancing exterior and interior landscapes with smaller character vignettes, helps sustain the book's energy. Say hello to Raschka at the top of his form."

5. Connections
*Other books about family:
Ryan, Pam Munoz. BECOMING NAOMI LEON. ISBN 0439269970. A girl goes looking for her father and finds her self along the way.

Creech, Sharon. GRANNY TORRELLI MAKES SOUP. ISBN 0064409600. When Rosie and her best-friend-from-forever, Bailey, begin arguing, Granny Torrelli wisely suggests cooking lessons. Before long the threesome are immersed in cavatelli pasta, meatballs, and long-ago stories.

*Also illustrated by Chris Raschka:
Hooks, Bell. BE BOY BUZZ. ISBN 0786816430.

*Writing Connection:
THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW makes a great book for reading/writing connection because it triggers text-to-self connections in children. My students have made connections to their own grandparents, childhood games, and special places. One student was even reminded of how she thought her dad was such a big, tall man when she was very young (just as the "tiger" looms large for the little girl in this book), only to grow up and discover that in actuality, he is not. Her child's perspective had skewed her image of him. Another topic ripe for exploration is the idea of being happy and sad at the same time. Students may remember a time when they experienced conflicting emotions.