1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Norton, Juster. 2005. THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. Ill. by Chris Raschka. MICHAEL DI CAPUA BOOKS. Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0641822499

2. PLOT SUMMARY
THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW is told through the eyes of a little girl. She tells the reader about her visits to Nanna and Poppy. The little girl begins the story by describing how “Nanna and Poppy live in a big house in the middle of town. There’s a brick path that goes to the back porch, but before you get there you pass right by the kitchen window. That’s the Hello, Goodbye Window.” The little girl informs the reader of this magical window. You can see anything and anyone through the window. She sits at the window and encounters Tyrannosaurus Rex, the pizza delivery guy, and the Queen of England. In the end, the little girl's parents pick her up and she’s sad and happy at the same time. However, she knows she’ll be back the next day to be with Nanna and Poppy for another day of unconditional love, warmth, and joyous discoveries.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW is a delightful picture book for ages three through eight. The subject matter covers the following: Extended family, relationships, life experiences, imagination, and creativity. My second grade students commented that this book reminds them of their visits with their grandparents in Mexico. I told my class, during our book discussion, that this story brought me back to the time when I was a little girl. I shared with them that my grandfather would make oatmeal for me and put raisins and bananas in it too. This part of the book made me happy and sad at the same time, just like the little girl in the story. I told my students that when I read this picture book, I cried from happiness. I was truly an engaged reader when I read THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW.

The illustrations in THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW are a painterly media. Watercolors fill the pages with lively impressionistic style. The illustrations are child like and complement the text.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Child Magazine- Best Children’s Book Awards 2005
Starred review in Horn Book Magazine: “A varied layout, balancing exterior and interior landscapes with smaller character vignettes, helps sustain the book’s energy. Say hello to Raschka at the top of his form.”
Starred review in School Library Journal: “The artwork is at once lively and energetic, without crowding the story or the words on the page. . .this is the art of a masterful hand.”
Starred review in Booklist : “Raschka’s swirling lines, swaths, and dabs of fruity colors seem especially vibrant, particularly in the double-page spread.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Students can discuss which illustrations they like and why.
*Students can reveal if they have a hello, goodbye ritual in their family and discuss it with the class.
*Have other books in the classroom by Norman Juster and Chris Raschka for students to read.
*Other books for children to read on extended Family:
Voigt, Cynthia. DICEY’S SONG. ISBN 068984798X
Nimmo, Jenny. THE SNOW SPIDER. ISBN 0525443061