Goodbye House (by Frank Asch)

Baby Bear's reluctance to leave his old home behind manifests itself in a vague feeling that something is missing. His wise parents gently remind him that although the house is physically empty, it is overflowing with their fond memories.

Together the family envisions how the house looked, filled with their belongings. Afterward, Papa Bear leads Baby Bear through the house and yard, saying goodbye to each special spot.

While books for children of all ages about moving are numerous, this deals solely with bidding farewell to the old home. Taking into consideration this narrow focus, Asch's sympathetic tale succeeds in helping young readers cope with the stress of relocating. The Bear family, a perennial favorite among preschoolers, handles this situation in a practical manner. By methodically going through the house with Baby Bear to say goodbye, Papa Bear enables his son to have a small measure of control over the situation and a sense of completion.

Asch's text and artwork are a perfect fit; the uncomplicated pictures are a reflection of the simply worded story. The bright illustrations are framed by a thin black line, encapsulating the pictures. The rounded figures and large eyes of the entire family render each of them childlike, making them appealing to young audiences.

Author: Frank Asch
Illustrator: Frank Asch
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: January 1, 1986
Number of pages: 32
Paperback price: $5.99
Read Alone: 6