The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster illustrated by Chris Raschka
The Hello, Goodbye Window is located right where you need it - where Nanna and Poppy live. This story is about a girl who visits with her grandparents and all the fun things they do together. The window is located near the back entry and looks right into the kitchen, where her grandparents can always be found. The child points out how different things can be seen from each side of the window. You can see who is coming and say "Hello" and of course blow kisses and say "Goodbye" to Nanna and Poppy through the window.
This story reminded me of the happy times I would spend at my grandparents house. The young girl truly enjoys spending time with her grandparents and when she leaves she feels "happy and sad at the same time . . . it just happens that way sometimes." Many of us can relate to those simple feelings.
The illustrations are very colorful and almost childlike. They are rendered in a somewhat impressionistic style with watercolors and given some detail with lines with that appear to be made with crayon. On each page the illustrations are the focus as they capture your attention. I would like to see more illustrations by Chris Raschka, I wonder if he uses the same medium and style in other children's books.
Children will enjoy this story and will probably begin to look at windows in an entirely different way, especially the windows at their grandparents' home.
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