The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster

Bibliography
Juster, Norton. 2005. The Hello, Goodbye Window. Ill. by Chris Raschka. Hyperion Books for Children.

ISBN: 0-7868-0914-0

Summary
At Nanna and Poppy's house, a little girl gets to see all the things, real and imaginary, say hello and goodbye through the big kitchen window.

Critical Analysis
The 2006 Caldecott Medal Winner, The Hello, Goodbye Window is a sensational story in both pictures and words. This story is a good example of a picture storybook, where the illustrations and text are in perfect harmony.

Author, Norton Juster, uses a variety of techniques to enhance his story. Juster uses language style and language to his advantage. For example, the varied sentence structure makes for a story that sounds like the girl is talking. Another example is in the imagery Juster uses to describe the cat in the garden, which the girl believes is a tiger. Juster also sets the scene at Nanna and Poppy's house by vividly describing the house, and more importantly, the kitchen and kitchen window where all the action takes place.

Another important aspect to Juster's writing style is noticed in the point of view and mood in the story. The main character is a little girl. She is telling the story from her own perspective, using accurate language for a child. Juster also establishes an upbeat, exciting mood through the use of this words.

The illustrations by Chris Raschka are an extraordinary complement to Juster's words. Appealing to a child, his illustrations are done in a painterly technique, suggestive of a child's fingerpainting, along with line drawings to accent shapes, features, and details. Using bright colors and exaggerated proportions like in the facial features and child-like drawings with full shapes, Raschka's techniques are a blend of expressionism and folk art, which makes for unique illustrations.

Juster's talents as an author and Rashka's talents as an illustrator are matched perfectly in this story. The union of the two talents makes a wonderful story for children. The Hello, Goodbye Window appeals to children, being told from a little girl's perspective and most importantly the colorful, inviting illustrations.

Illustrations.
Review Excerpts
Angela J. Reynolds with School Library Journal states, "While the language is bouncy and fun, it is the visual interpretation of this sweet story that sings. Using a bright rainbow palette of saturated color, Raschka's impressionistic, mixed-media illustrations portray a loving, mixed-race family. The artwork is at once lively and energetic, without crowding the story or the words on the page; the simple lines and squiggles of color suggest a child's own drawings, but this is the art of a masterful hand. Perfect for lap-sharing, this book will find favor with children and adults alike (2005).

Kirkus Review announces, "Juster adopts the voice of the child, whose present-tense narration is just right, describing pleasures (saying good night to the stars) and perils (the tiger at the back of the garden) with a steady, sweet candor. Raschka's mixed-media illustrations are characteristically loose and energetic, depicting this happy, biracial family with jewel tones and extravagant swirls (2005).

Review excerpts accessed from http://www.titlewave.com/

Connections
This story would be a good story for Grandparent's Day at an elementary school. Other stories about grandparents:
My Most Favorite Thing by Nicola Moon
I'm Going to Grandma's by Mary Ann Hoberman
Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me by Ann Grifalconi
The Just-Right Perfect Present by Fran Kennedy