 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Hello, Goodbye Window
- By Norton Juster
- Genre: Family Life
Common Sense Media says
Warm drawings and text make this a must-have book.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book portrays a loving family, and readers of all ages will be touched by their gentle interactions. The main character comes from a mixed-race family.
What's the story?
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?
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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the colorful illustrations in the book. Which illustrations do you like the best? Why do they appeal to you?
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Parent of 4 and 6 year old
March 30, 2011
AGE
The bi-racial "issue" was a non-issue. No one noticed or mentioned it. YIPPEE!!
I love it! I was invited to be the Mystery Reader in my grandson's kindergarten class last year. I researched books and found this one to be perfect. We have a big picture window that we have always used as our Goodbye Window, making silly faces and blowing kisses, etc. This year in first grade, my grandson personally invited me to read to his class and said that I HAD TO read this book again! It may be a geared for younger students, but with this request, how could I say no?! I will also read it to my 4-year-old granddaughter's class, and it should be perfect for them.
What other families should know:
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| Author: | Norton Juster |
| Illustrator: | Chris Raschka |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Family Life |
| Publisher: | Michael Di Capua |
| Publication date: | April 7, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 32 |
| Read aloud: | 2 - 2 |
| Read alone: | 6 - 6 |
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