Hello, Goodbye

by Arlene Alda

An opposites book like no other — from the inimitable Arlene Alda!

Author / photographer Arlene Alda is back with another delightful photo essay. This time she tackles the concept of opposites with her keen sense of humor and sharp eye. This slightly off-beat collection of images is fodder for the imagination — an opposites book like no other. For children from five to eight, and those who still remember the magic of first discoveries, Arlene’s through-the-lens perceptions offer new ways to see and think about those remarkable “everyday” things around us.

This is the fourth book in a series that not only instructs but also raises visual awareness and fine-tunes observational skills. Look for The Book of ZZZs, Did You Say Pears?, and Here a Face, There a Face.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Photography

Unknown Binding

First published March 10, 2009

About the author

Arlene Alda graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Hunter College, received a Fulbright Scholarship, and realized her dream of becoming a professional clarinetist, playing in the Houston Symphony under the baton of Leopold Stokowski. She switched careers when her children were young and became an award-winning photographer and author who has written nineteen books, including Just Kids from the Bronx. She is the mother of three daughters and the grandmother of eight. She and her husband, actor Alan Alda, live in New York City and Long Island.

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely give books one star, but I was completely unimpressed with this book. The photographs were okay, but most were poor examples of the descriptive words. This could be confusing to a child learning opposites. I would not recommend this book.

[Amanda Rood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice opposites book, most of these type are illustrations. it's nice to finally see one with really photos of things kids might actually see.

[☼Bookish in Virginia☼]

I like Arlene Alda's works, but have mixed results with them when reading them to children. Some like "Here a Face, There a Face" are tremendously popular. Others just get sort of a nod and a look like 'can we move on'. "Hello, Good-bye" lies somewhere's in between. The problem being that the photographs aren't necessarily the best for small fry.

Cold and Hot, for example, are well done. There's an evergreen covered with snow on one page and a palm tree on a beach on the opposing page. The images are attractive and convey the ideas well. But to give you an example of where things don't work out as well, let's look at Old and New.

In both cases there is architecture. An old building (Europe?) on a river versus a new abstract looking building. Now you and I and even older kids would understand why one would think the abstract-painting building was New... but two year olds don't have the cultural context to make that connection and heaven knows but most children I know aren't that interested in buildings.

Talking Points:::
"Hello, Good-Bye" is a concept book that addresses contrasts. It's a better book for slightly older children.

The pictures are typical of Alda's work. And this book, like all of hers, are certainly worth sharing with children, either at home or at school. Good LibraryFind.

Text consist of single words. Accelerated Reading level given as generic "1".

Pam T~
mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews.com

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ages 1-5. The thing I appreciated the most out of this opposites book is that the images were photographs and not illustrations. Some children might benefit from seeing real life examples rather than drawings. The represented opposites seemed relevant, and the images paired with the words fit well. The white space around each word made identification of the words easy as well. A great book to build vocabulary and a conversation starter for children and their caregivers. I thought it was well done.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am totally biased with photography in children's books. I love it when you are teaching concepts and this one is no exception. Bright colors and fun examples that would leave the child asking some questions. Fun book all around ages. 2+

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photos from around the world depict opposite words in full-color splendor. Good for beginner readers, but also for starting ESL students, and memory care patients because there is only one word per page and where humans are featured, adults are pictured.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good concept book about opposites with accompanying pictures. I read this book to a very young toddler. She understood most concepts. We were a little confused with "straight" and "slanted." Other than that, it was a fun book.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right up there with the late lamented Tana Hoban's best concept books.
Fun for kids, fun for adults, and how can you resist that perfectly curled up sleeping tabby cat?

[Thia]

opposites

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book of opposites with wonderful photographs

[Tina B]

"opposites, photo illustrations"

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good resource to teach children about opposites. Single words partnered with complimentary photos to describe the word/action. For the very introductory reader.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think concept books are hard to do well, and photograph books are hard to do well. Neither goal was achieved here.