The Hello, Goodbye Window

Dear Blog,

Today, I read Norton Juster's The Hello, Goodbye Window (2005). The Hello, Goodbye Window is illustrated by Chris Raschka. Raschka received the Caldecott Medal in 2006 for his illustrations, which portray the happiness and joyfulness one feels when visiting their grandparents' house. 

In summary, The Hello, Goodbye Window tells about the experiences and adventures a little girl encounters when visiting her grandparents' house. The kitchen window brings her and her grandparents such joy. At the window, they can wave, make silly faces, watch for special deliveries, or watch the sun set and rise. These treasured moments cause the little girl to wish for her very own hello, goodbye window.  

I would use this book to teach character analysis and text-to-self connections. Questions I would ask are: "How does the window make the characters feel?" "What in the story tells us the characters are happy?" "What other emotions do you think the window can bring?" Once we have worked to analyze the characters and their feelings, we would then discuss what things or experiences in our own lives bring us joy. 

It is important for students to make text-to-self connections in order to build deeper comprehension. The Hello, Goodbye Window is a great resource to implement when making personal connections to a story.

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad

 Dear Blog,

Today I read a historical fiction picture book titled Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad (2007). Henry's Freedom Box was written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. It was nominated and awarded both the Caldecott Award and the Notable Children's Book Award in 2008.

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad tells the story of Henry "Box" Brown and the life he lived during slavery. Throughout the story, Henry is separated from his wife and kids. He becomes devastated as he knows he will never see his family again. This sparks Henry's determination to gain his freedom, so with the help from others, he designs a box to ship himself to a land free of slavery. Once Henry arrives in Pennsylvania, he declares March 30, 1849 as his first birthday-- the day he gained his freedom. 

Henry's Freedom Box is an inspiring book that portrays one of the many escapes made during the Underground Railroad. This story would be excellent to read leading up to Black History Month. Before reading this story to my class, I would begin by having them carefully examine the front cover. I would ask them questions like, "How do you think Henry will gain his freedom?" "What is the purpose of the box?" Throughout the story, Henry compares his freedom to birds. I would ask my class, "What do the birds in the story symbolize?" "How do you know?" 

It is important for our students to understand the tragedies and tribulations encountered by those in the past. With this book, we will discuss how Henry "Box" Brown had to preserver and fight the odds in order to gain his freedom.

McKenzie Walls