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The Hello, Goodbye Window

Book Summary

Reviewed by Kate Pavao

A little girl recounts visits to her grandparents' house, which always begin and end with a stop at the Hello, Goodbye Window in their kitchen.

Is It Any Good?

5

It's easy to see why this book about a young girl's trips to her grandparents' house was awarded the Caldecott Medal for best picture book illustrations. The bright, mixed-media images capture both a childlike energy and the warmth of a loving family. Young readers will recognize their own favorite family rituals as they watch the unnamed narrator count stars with her grandma from inside the kitchen window, or see her grandfather very seriously preparing her oatmeal for breakfast.

The author creates a convincing child narrator, but plenty is revealed through the simple text about her grandparents' house and the happy, relaxed times that happen there. This is a charming book that you and your kids will want to say "hello" to over and over again.

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