1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Juster, Norton. 2005. THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW. Ill by Chris Raschka. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 0439897505
2. PLOT SUMMARY
THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW is a story that is told from the viewpoint of a little girl. She tells about spending time at her grandparent’s house and about a special kitchen window that is located in the heart of their home. She tells of adventures, rituals, and special treats that go on during her visits. She also shares her experiences from the outside of the window looking in, and from the inside looking out. Her absolute love and adoration for her grandparents are portrayed throughout all of her experiences.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Norton Juster shares a story of a young girl who lives in the safety net of knowing her family is a safe and warm haven for her to enjoy her life and visits to her grandparent’s house. He writes an easy to follow story that children and adults can both enjoy and appreciate while remembering their own experiences of growing up. It is honest and direct and captures the fond memories, fears, excitement, imagination, and the sadness of when it is time for her visit to come to an end.
Chris Raschka’s vibrant illustrations capture the warmth and love of the story. They are bright and cheerful and capture the happiness of a young girl who looks forward to her visits. He is able to combine loose swirls, dots and dabs, lines, and vibrant colors to portray the character’s happy emotions and the complete love and adoration that go along with it.
THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW is an easy book to share with any age group. The story is easy to follow and can easily be related to family, love, trust, and bonds.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Charming--and charmingly illustrated--snapshot of a little girl's love affair with her grandparents.”
THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE: 2006 Caldecott Medal
BOOKLIST: “A book that speaks to the real lives of children and their experiences.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*This is a great book to introduce the subject of families or grandparents as well as the special relationships, bonds, and trust that are built inside of a family unit.
* Other books about family relationships are:
Andreae, Giles. HEAVEN IS HAVING YOU. ISBN 1589250168
Casely, Judith. GRANDPA’S GARDEN LUNCH. ISBN 0688088171
Levey Oppenheim, Shulamith. FIREFLIES FOR NATHAN. ISBN 0688121470
Monday, January 26, 2009
PICTURE BOOKS- Knuffle Bunny
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for children. ISBN 0786818700
2. PLOT SUMMARY
A small child named Trixie and her daddy go off on an errand together, all the while Trixie lugs her “Knuffle Bunny” around. She is happy to be with her daddy doing errands, until she realizes that she has misplaced her “Knuffle Bunny.” Trying to communicate with her daddy proves to be the problem, so Trixie becomes louder and louder, starts to panic, and eventually goes “Boneless.” When they return home, her mother asked about “Knuffle Bunny,” and the three of them go off in pursuit of Trixie’s bunny. They find the bunny and Trixie is happy once again.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This picture book will hit home for anyone that has ever had a child, or for any child that has ever had a “special toy or belonging.” Mo Willems tells the story that is so true to life about how an errand or day can suddenly take a turn for the worse when a child realizes that they have left or misplaced their belonging. He captures their frustration in trying to communicate with their parents when they aren’t yet able to speak words, and the frustration that their parents feel when they have no idea what is being said to them. Adults will enjoy the humor in the situation and children will enjoy the over exaggerated illustrations.
Mo Willems used sepia pictures of a real neighborhood, with his colorful illustrations of his characters superimposed over the photographs. The result is an easy to follow adventure for both adults and children. The story becomes extremely believable and the characters emotions are evident on their faces. The words and font chosen also help to illustrate the character’s emotions as they become bigger and bigger as Trixie starts to panic, and are more like pencil sketching as she is babbling to her father.
This book is a perfect addition to any library that adults and children both are sure to enjoy. It captures the enjoyment, frustration, love, and humor of a father and daughter outing.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text.”
BOOKLIST: “This comic gem proves that Caldecott Medal-winner Willems, the Dr. Spock and Robin Williams of the lap-sit crowd, has just as clear a bead on pre-verbal children as on silver-tongued preschool
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE REVIEW: Caldecott Honor Medal in 2005
5. CONNECTIONS
*This book could open up a conversation about the relationships of fathers and daughters and the special bond that they share.
*Other books about father and daughter relationships:
Cobb, Daryl K. DADDY DID I EVER SAY? I LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU, EVERY DAY. ISBN 1424339189
Grambling, Lois G. & Gaffney-Kessell, Walter. DADDY WILL BE THERE. ISBN 0688149839, 9780688149833
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for children. ISBN 0786818700
2. PLOT SUMMARY
A small child named Trixie and her daddy go off on an errand together, all the while Trixie lugs her “Knuffle Bunny” around. She is happy to be with her daddy doing errands, until she realizes that she has misplaced her “Knuffle Bunny.” Trying to communicate with her daddy proves to be the problem, so Trixie becomes louder and louder, starts to panic, and eventually goes “Boneless.” When they return home, her mother asked about “Knuffle Bunny,” and the three of them go off in pursuit of Trixie’s bunny. They find the bunny and Trixie is happy once again.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This picture book will hit home for anyone that has ever had a child, or for any child that has ever had a “special toy or belonging.” Mo Willems tells the story that is so true to life about how an errand or day can suddenly take a turn for the worse when a child realizes that they have left or misplaced their belonging. He captures their frustration in trying to communicate with their parents when they aren’t yet able to speak words, and the frustration that their parents feel when they have no idea what is being said to them. Adults will enjoy the humor in the situation and children will enjoy the over exaggerated illustrations.
Mo Willems used sepia pictures of a real neighborhood, with his colorful illustrations of his characters superimposed over the photographs. The result is an easy to follow adventure for both adults and children. The story becomes extremely believable and the characters emotions are evident on their faces. The words and font chosen also help to illustrate the character’s emotions as they become bigger and bigger as Trixie starts to panic, and are more like pencil sketching as she is babbling to her father.
This book is a perfect addition to any library that adults and children both are sure to enjoy. It captures the enjoyment, frustration, love, and humor of a father and daughter outing.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text.”
BOOKLIST: “This comic gem proves that Caldecott Medal-winner Willems, the Dr. Spock and Robin Williams of the lap-sit crowd, has just as clear a bead on pre-verbal children as on silver-tongued preschool
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE REVIEW: Caldecott Honor Medal in 2005
5. CONNECTIONS
*This book could open up a conversation about the relationships of fathers and daughters and the special bond that they share.
*Other books about father and daughter relationships:
Cobb, Daryl K. DADDY DID I EVER SAY? I LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU, EVERY DAY. ISBN 1424339189
Grambling, Lois G. & Gaffney-Kessell, Walter. DADDY WILL BE THERE. ISBN 0688149839, 9780688149833
PICTURE BOOKS- Side by Side: Five Favorite Picture Book Teams Go To Work
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Marcus, Leonard S. 2001. SIDE BY SIDE. New York, NY: Walker & Company. ISBN 0802796168
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This book is a collection of five picture book teams and their personal stories of their journey to success. Each team (author and illustrator) shares their personal experiences of how they met, how they collaborated, and how their journeys included both successes and failures. They include pictures of their first drafts, initial drawings and sketches, and the finished products after their collaboration took place. It is a very inspirational retelling of personal experiences for anyone who has ever dreamed of creating a picture book.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
SIDE BY SIDE is not your typical picture book. There are no plot lines, or themes to be learned. It is a book that tells the stories of five picture book teams and their journeys on the road to creating all time favorite picture books. It tells of how each author and illustrator met, about their collaboration process, and the meaningful friendships that developed from the many years that they worked together. The authors had to develop a trust with their illustrators, and vice versa in order to develop a final product that they were both happy with. The book includes snapshots of beginning sketches, works in progress, and the end results.
The illustrations provided gives a rare glimpse inside the illustrators mind as they reveal what the road to completion looks like. Some illustrations began with actual models; others were born with just a thought or an idea in mind. They show how some things were modified, changed, left out, or added to that eventually led up to what we see in the final version of the picture book.
SIDE BY SIDE is an interesting and alternative way to think about picture books. It would open the door for many conversations with children and adults, and provide opportunities to explore the world and creation of picture books.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Well written and beautifully designed.”
Kirkus Reviews: “Valuable insights about the many different ways children’s book creators (and editors) approach their projects. Adults who work with children’s books will delight in this glimpse into the creative process.”
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Readers…..will appreciate the insights into the inner workings of bookmaking.”
5. CONNECTIONS
This book shows the ups and downs of team collaboration during the process of creating children’s picture books. This is a great tool for career days, to encourages team work, or as a tool for students that show interest in the children’s literature field.
*Other books that show the book creation process:
Marcus, Leonard. PASS IT DOWN. ISBN 0802796001
Marcus, Leonard. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION. ISBN 0802786561
Marcus, Leonard S. 2001. SIDE BY SIDE. New York, NY: Walker & Company. ISBN 0802796168
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This book is a collection of five picture book teams and their personal stories of their journey to success. Each team (author and illustrator) shares their personal experiences of how they met, how they collaborated, and how their journeys included both successes and failures. They include pictures of their first drafts, initial drawings and sketches, and the finished products after their collaboration took place. It is a very inspirational retelling of personal experiences for anyone who has ever dreamed of creating a picture book.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
SIDE BY SIDE is not your typical picture book. There are no plot lines, or themes to be learned. It is a book that tells the stories of five picture book teams and their journeys on the road to creating all time favorite picture books. It tells of how each author and illustrator met, about their collaboration process, and the meaningful friendships that developed from the many years that they worked together. The authors had to develop a trust with their illustrators, and vice versa in order to develop a final product that they were both happy with. The book includes snapshots of beginning sketches, works in progress, and the end results.
The illustrations provided gives a rare glimpse inside the illustrators mind as they reveal what the road to completion looks like. Some illustrations began with actual models; others were born with just a thought or an idea in mind. They show how some things were modified, changed, left out, or added to that eventually led up to what we see in the final version of the picture book.
SIDE BY SIDE is an interesting and alternative way to think about picture books. It would open the door for many conversations with children and adults, and provide opportunities to explore the world and creation of picture books.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Well written and beautifully designed.”
Kirkus Reviews: “Valuable insights about the many different ways children’s book creators (and editors) approach their projects. Adults who work with children’s books will delight in this glimpse into the creative process.”
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Readers…..will appreciate the insights into the inner workings of bookmaking.”
5. CONNECTIONS
This book shows the ups and downs of team collaboration during the process of creating children’s picture books. This is a great tool for career days, to encourages team work, or as a tool for students that show interest in the children’s literature field.
*Other books that show the book creation process:
Marcus, Leonard. PASS IT DOWN. ISBN 0802796001
Marcus, Leonard. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION. ISBN 0802786561
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
First Post!!
Well, this is my first post as I begin the new semester at TWU. Since this is a Children's and YA Lit class, I will be posting various books and my thoughts as we move through the semester.
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