Bailey's Window

by Anne Lindbergh

A masterful fantasy about four children who escape a dull summer via a magical window that allows them to travel through space and time.

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 1984

About the author

Anne Spencer Lindbergh, daughter of Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Charles Lindbergh; sister of Reeve Lindbergh.

Also published under the name Anne Lindbergh Feydy.

New York Times obituary

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bailey is a remarkably horrible boy who is inflicted on his quite nice cousins for the summer. When he steals Anna's paintbox and paints on the wall of his room, he discovers that he can magically make portals to other times and places.

This was an okay quick read, but nothing special. It could have used more depth: why is Bailey so nasty? where does the magic come from? Predictably, the kids are all great friends by the end of the visit.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre story in the vein of Edward Eager. It's a short book (115 pp.) but nearly the first half is spent on setup, without any real action. We meet Bailey, and he's not at all likeable. Eventually things get going and there are some magical voyages through the window. But it's all rather hodge-podge without a bigger plan. The resolution is weak too. It feels as if the author ran out of space and had to wrap things up. A book twice the length would do things very differently.

Anyway, just read Eager instead. He does it all better.

As a big fan of Kinuko Craft's gorgeous fantasy picture books, I was very disappointed by the lackluster black-and-white pictures in this book. They had none of the qualities that I love about her magical work. These illustrations could have been done equally well by any number of other artists.

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was walking through the Youth Services department at our Library and saw Bailey's Window on display. A book by Anne Lindbergh would catch my attention. So I read this juvenile book. It was great. Anna and Carl were out for summer vacation and their cousin Bailey Bond is coming to visit. He tends to be quite a nuisance at the beginning of the summer. This changed as the summer wore on and they got to know him better. But a magic window that Bailey paints on his attic bedroom wall comes to life and the fun begins. I did really enjoy this book. I would love for my great nephews to read it. I will read more of Anne Lindbergh.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a simple read, appropriate for new-chapter-book readers. Hopefully I can recommend it to Nathan soon. The story was interesting enough to keep my interest, but not too complicated, and provided a fun premise to spark the reader's imagination.

[Partridge Public]

Lindbergh, Anne PB

[Patcowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books for young people. Easy reading for students 9-12 years old. Just enough fantasy to keep it interesting.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great as a read aloud for third grade.

[Carley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very creative. Overall, I enjoyed this book. Although the 'bad guy' was a little strange.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Anne Lindbergh. What an imagination she had!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My elementary school teacher read this to our class a million years ago, and I just managed to track down a copy to revisit the magic!

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carl and Anna are dreading the summer. Their cousin Bailey is supposed to stay with them and Bailey is not a good kid. They let their friend Ingrid know that the summer will not be a good one. They decide that they will form a club that does not include Bailey, The Vikings.
Bailey comes and doesn't like the fact that the three have formed a club that does not include him. He pulls some pranks on them. They are not pleased.
Bailey stays in the attic with Carl and decides he will draw on the wall, since he does not have a window on his side. The window comes alive and Bailey is able to enter into the world that he has drawn, as if through a window.
The summer becomes more exciting, as Bailey draws more windows and the children travel through. Each one becomes its own adventure.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

four kids journey through magical windows to a variety of other times and places looking for a lost dog; unfortunately one of these places is an unpleasantly stereotypical island of "cannibals" which spoiled the book for me.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book when I was a kid. I think this is one of the things that got me into fantasy and the wonderful world of adventures through reading.

It will forever hold a special place in my heart. Also read it to my boys when they were little. ❤️