THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW by Norton Juster

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Juster, Norton. 2005. The Hello, Goodbye Window by Chris Raschka. United States: Michael Di Capua Books. ISBN 0786809140

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This Caldecott Medal awarded book is told in the voice of a little girl who describes her time spent at her grandparent’s house. Because the kitchen is the central gathering place and the kitchen window has views of outside and inside activities, the events (real or imagined) that could be viewed from the window take on a special meaning for the child.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This tale highlights the simple pleasures of childhood and the bond between grandchildren and grandparents. As the characters represent both multicultural and multigenerational groups, this story has the potential for wide appeal. The commonplace and sometimes humorous events told in the voice of a child offer readers an honest connection to the story. The naïve/expressionist style illustrations are done in a painterly technique (primarily watercolor?) and have a childlike simplicity matching the perspective of the little girl narrating the story. They are bright and vivid with a distinct use of line to give definition to objects. While it deals with the notion of separation, it is a lighthearted story overall.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
From School Library Journal: “While the language is bouncy and fun, it is the visual interpretation of this sweet story that sings.”
From Booklist: “Two well-known names come together in a book that speaks to the real lives of children and their experiences.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Read this story in conjunction with Grandparent’s Day activities
*Read other books about visiting grandparents:
Spot Visits His Grandparents by Eric Hill ISBN 0142403601
Little Bear’s Visit by Else Holmelund Minarik ISBN 0060242655
*Study and compare other books authored by Norton Justor or illustrated by Chris Raschka
*Write a memoir of a visit with grandparents
*Read other stories about separating from parents or grandparents

KITTEN'S FIRST FULL MOON by Kevin Henkes

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Henkes, Kevin. 2004. Kitten’s First Full Moon. United States: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 2003012564

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This story is about a playful kitten’s mishaps as she attempts to reach the full moon, which she mistakes for a big bowl of milk. Despite her comical failed attempts, Kitten’s efforts are rewarded with a bowl of milk from her owner in the end.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The plot of the story is not particularly original, as there are many (especially folktales) in which the moon is mistaken for food (often cheese) and a character tries to reach it and/or is foiled by its reflection in the water. Also, the brevity and simplicity of the text/vocabulary limits the story to a younger audience, perhaps to toddler and preschool aged children. Without the benefit of the illustrations, this story would be mediocre at best.

There are two aspects of this book, however, that make it exceptional and worthy of the Caldecott Medal. First, the gouache and colored pencil illustrations are drawn in black, white and shades of gray- almost perfectly mimicking the scenes as they would be viewed on a moonlit night. In this way, readers feel like they are really watching the events as they unfold. During a time when many picture books are brightly illustrated to the point of being overwhelming or gaudy, Henkes artwork is refreshing and unique.

Second, Henkes has a talent for portraying character. Kitten’s lively and naïve personality is revealed through his drawings more so than through the accompanying text. He has also succeeded in capturing the true nature of a kitten through his realistic depiction of her actions- licking, jumping, falling, stalking, running, climbing, pouncing, sleeping…That he has done his research on feline behavior is apparent. Kitten is a funny and lovable character that will delight children and adults alike.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
From School Library Journal:
“The rhythmic text and delightful artwork ensure storytime success. Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*This book would be appropriate with other cat-themed (Millions of Cats- ISBN 0399233156 by Wanda Gag or Have You Seen My Cat?- ISBN 0689817312 by Eric Carle) or moon-themed (Moongame- ISBN 0689835183 by Frank Asch or Goodnight Moon- ISBN 0694003611 by Margaret Wise Brown) books.
*Sing “My Kitten”
*Fingerplay “Five Little Kittens”
*Games- copycat and mother cat
*Cat/kitten poetry
*Kevin Henkes author study- other titles or series

TALKING WITH ARTISTS by Pat Cummings

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cummings, Pat. 1992. Talking With Artists. V. 1. New York, NY: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0027242455

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Pat Cummings asks 14 children’s book illustrators (including Chess, Cummings, L. Dillon, D. Dillon, Egielski, Ehlert, Ernst, Feelings, Kellogg, Pinkney, Schwartz, Smith, Van Allsburg, Wiesner) the same questions commonly asked by children: Where do you get your ideas from? What is a normal day like for you? Where do you work? Do you have any children? Any pets? What do you enjoy drawing the most? Do you ever put people you know in your pictures? What do you use to make your pictures? How did you get to do your first book? The compilation of their responses also includes a brief biography, a photograph of the illustrators as children and as adults and sample artwork from childhood and as professionals.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book was created for young, aspiring artists. The cover and graphics are not very impressive for a book pertaining to illustration. The design and layout as a whole are also unexceptional. The childhood art samples are generally humble compared to future professional samples, but the effect is encouraging rather than intimidating for the juvenile artist-to-be. While sometimes bland, the content of the biographies serve to inspire young artists to pursue their artistic dreams.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
From Publisher's Weekly “…the often poignant reminiscences and outstanding talent on display cannot overcome the book's unimaginative layout and distractingly pragmatic text.”
From School Library Journal: “The cumulative result is a short course in how to succeed in the book business, and general agreement that illustration is a tremendously satisfying and enjoyable occupation.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Conduct an illustrator study of any of the featured illustrators.
*Create art similar to the illustrator’s juvenile or professional artwork.
*Compare styles between illustrators.
*Read other volumes from this series or other books about illustration/illustrators:
A Caldecott Celebration by Leonard Marcus
Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang
Ways of Telling: Conversations On The Art Of The Picture Book by Leonard Marcus
Side By Side: Five Favorite Picture Book Teams Go To Work by Leonard Marcus

Welcome to my blog site!

I am an MLS student completing book reviews as part of a course requirement. (The class is LS 5603- Literature for children and young adults.)