Reading with the Girl

Monday, March 9, 2015

The Hello, Goodbye Window

When I saw that Norton Juster, author of the Phantom Tollbooth and Chris Raschka, a multi-award winning illustrator had collaborated on a book, I had to check it out.

Author/Illustrator: Story by Norton Juster ; pictures by Chris Raschka

Publisher: Hyperion Books, Michael di Capua books (2005)

Prices: $14.38, Paperback - $7.99, Audiobook - $7.95

Reading level: Age 2-8

Interest level: Lower Grades

Physical Characteristics: Hardcover, 32 pages, 10.5x11.4

ISBN: 9780786809141

Genre: Children's Fiction Picture Book

Subjects:

Children – Fiction and Literature

Grandparents and child – juvenile fiction

Caldecott Winner

Annotation: A little girl spends a wonderful few fun-filled days in her loving grandparents’ home.

Summary:

A little girl goes to visit her grandparents’. She describes her visit and all the fun things there are to do in their house. The hello goodbye window is a central part of the visit, as the family gathers around in the kitchen, where the window is. Also, when she is outside, she can look at the house and into the window to see her grandparents. The hello goodbye window acts as a portal from outside to inside her grandparents’ world, and from inside onto the yard and beyond. It is also a place that inspires imaginative play on the part of the girl.

Evaluation:

I do not find the narrative of this story particularly inventive or engaging, but the illustrations are amazing. I found myself reading the lines on the page and then dwelling on the pages to explore Mr. Ruschka’s illustrations. I could look at his illustrations for hours. The bright colors, squiggles and soft lines make these illustrations as welcoming as the house in the book.

Similar Titles or Authors:

How to Babysit a Grandpa by Jean Reagan

How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan

Kite Flying by Grace Lin

The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman

Websites:

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/book.jsp?id=4370

http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Chris-Raschka/1786251

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/norton-juster

Awards & Recognition:

Caldecott Award Winner, 20016

Professional Reviews:

Publishers Weekly

The hello, goodbye window. (2005). Booklist, 101(14), 1286.

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale

When doing research on Pura Belpré award winners I ran across this book. The front cover grabbed my attention, with its graphic geometric depictions of Pancho and the Coyote and the large appealing typeface used on the cover. The font felt familiar and I liked it. Probably because it is very reminiscent of ‘ Wanted’ posters from the old west era. The art and font made me want to read this book.

Author/Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (May 7,2013)

Prices: Hardcover - $12.84, Audible - $9.95, Kindle $9.99

Reading level: Ages 5-9

Interest level: Medium Grades

Physical Characteristics: Hardcover,32 pages, 9x10 inches

ISBN: 9781419705830

Genre: Children's Fiction Picture Book

Subjects:

Allegories
Coyote-Juvenile Fiction
Rabbits-Juvenile Fiction
Voyages and travels – Juvenile Fiction
Immigration

Annotation: A young Rabbit crosses the border in search of his father, with the help of a nefarious coyote.

Summary:

Papa Rabbit must leave his family behind and go North to make money for his family. After years pass and he doesn’t return his son, Pancho Rabbit, goes in search of him. Pancho takes the aid of a treacherous Coyote who robs him of his food, and almost murders him. In the end Papa Rabbit saves Pancho and they head home together.

Evaluation:

This book has many positives and a few negatives, in my opinion. The positives are that this is a fable that explores real-life issues in a way that children can understand. Also, there is a mix of English and Spanish with a glossary in the back, a nice exposure to a different language. There is also an author’s note about the real life issues of illegal border crossings and links to more information on the subject. The negatives for me are that the text itself is quite wordy. I think the story could have been told with a little better and more concise prose. I also find the codices style collages to be too cold and unemotionally unengaging. Overall, I think this book has more good qualities than naught, but it isn’t something that I personally enjoyed immensely.