Chris Raschka

Arlene wants to be a sardine, but doesn't seem to understand what the process entails (namely her own death). The matter-of-fact presentation of Arlene's demise is set against an eerily cheery backdrop of colorful cartoon-esque drawings. Raschka's meaning is left open to interpretation making this a choice for a wide range of audience. Strange, but somehow endearing at the same time. I think this text generates lots of questions for readers who are capable of reading between the lines of the show more fish nets. show less

On the title page, a little girl springs away from her parents; turn the page, and the reader sees only her arms on the gate, the reader taking her perspective as she looks over to the white clapboard house where her Nanna and Poppy’s faces stare equally eagerly out of the Hello, Goodbye Window.

The exuberant tot proceeds to spend a thoroughly idyllic overnight with her loving grandparents, the stay punctuated by a harmonica serenade, a bike ride (“Not in the street, please”) and a nap. show more Juster adopts the voice of the child, whose present-tense narration is just right, describing pleasures (saying good night to the stars) and perils (the tiger at the back of the garden) with a steady, sweet candor. Raschka’s mixed-media illustrations are characteristically loose and energetic, depicting this happy, biracial family with jewel tones and extravagant swirls.

As the little girl unwinds at the end of the stay, she imagines the many possible visitors who might come to the Hello, Goodbye Window—but no one is more happily welcomed than her parents, who pick her up after her picture-perfect day. (Picture book. 3-7)

-Kirkus Review show less

Daisy loves her bright red ball. She is delighted when her owner takes the ball with them to the park. Then tragedy strikes in the form of another dog being a little too rough with the ball. Will Daisy ever be able to recover from her grief? (Spoiler alert - she does.)

This is very much in Raschka's typical squiggly thick-lined style. Washes of watercolor make up the backgrounds, with ink and gouache adding texture in small details to the watercolor figures. Raschka packs a ton of emotions show more into the wordless story - contentment, joy, anger, grief. While I see what others have pointed out in how the watercolor washes match the emotions and how Daisy clearly is a toddler stand-in, I don't see what the Caldecott committee must have. It's a good book - one I would recommend - but it doesn't seem like the best of the year to me. In particular I thought Balloons Over Broadway was better. Perhaps if I get a chance to see a child react to this one, I'll feel differently. show less

I love reading books by Chris Raschka. I am just now discovering him and am so glad I stumbled upon his creative works. When I first started reading, it looked like the little girl was teaching her dad how to ride a bike, until she was the one falling and trying over and over again. The illustrations in this book made me feel the frustration and struggle of the little girl. I love how on the last page the author mentions "and now you'll never forget how." I remember getting myself a bike show more last year and I was afraid of riding it because I thought I had forgotten how to ride a bike. But I got on the bike and started pedaling away. This is a great encourager to young readers who are afraid to ride a bike but with persistence and courage, the result of learning is rewarding. show less