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Goodbye Brings Hello: A Book of Firsts – A Rhyming Story About Change and Kindergarten for Kids
Like Bernie Waber's COURAGE and Davis' KINDERGARTEN ROCKS!, this inspiring, vibrantly illustrated gift book is perfect for celebrating life's milestones, both great and small—especially that first day of kindergarten.
There are many ways of letting go.
With each goodbye, a new hello.
From being pushed on a swing to learning how to pump your legs yourself, from riding a beloved trike to mastering your first bike ride, from leaving the comforts of home behind to venturing forth on that first day of school, milestones are exciting but hard. They mean having to say goodbye to one moment in order to welcome the next.
Honest and uplifting, this cheerfully illustrated ode to change gently empowers readers to brave life's milestones, both large and small.
There are many ways of letting go.
With each goodbye, a new hello.
From being pushed on a swing to learning how to pump your legs yourself, from riding a beloved trike to mastering your first bike ride, from leaving the comforts of home behind to venturing forth on that first day of school, milestones are exciting but hard. They mean having to say goodbye to one moment in order to welcome the next.
Honest and uplifting, this cheerfully illustrated ode to change gently empowers readers to brave life's milestones, both large and small.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published June 26, 2018
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 26, 2018
Letting go of the old means bringing in something new. This is a little book with lots of goodbyes and many hellos.
May 15, 2018
First sentence: There are many ways of letting go. With each goodbye, a new hello.
Premise/plot: This book captures the goodbye and hello nature of childhood, of this difficult yet glorious thing called GROWING UP.
Each two page spread shows a goodbye and a hello. (Or in some cases a hello and a goodbye.)
Loop the laces. Knot the bows.
So long,
Velcro-covered toes.
Chunky crayons. Big designs.
Hello, letters on the lines.
My thoughts: I found the book DELIGHTFUL. I did. I loved it cover to cover. I loved the writing; I loved the rhythm and rhyme of it. It is HARD to get right, and Dianne White does it well. I loved the snapshots we get--the images of childhood. I also loved the illustrations. They complement the text so well! One of my favorites shows that last years' winter clothes may be too tight--but they are JUST RIGHT for the snow man.
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10
Premise/plot: This book captures the goodbye and hello nature of childhood, of this difficult yet glorious thing called GROWING UP.
Each two page spread shows a goodbye and a hello. (Or in some cases a hello and a goodbye.)
Loop the laces. Knot the bows.
So long,
Velcro-covered toes.
Chunky crayons. Big designs.
Hello, letters on the lines.
My thoughts: I found the book DELIGHTFUL. I did. I loved it cover to cover. I loved the writing; I loved the rhythm and rhyme of it. It is HARD to get right, and Dianne White does it well. I loved the snapshots we get--the images of childhood. I also loved the illustrations. They complement the text so well! One of my favorites shows that last years' winter clothes may be too tight--but they are JUST RIGHT for the snow man.
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10
June 18, 2018
Loved this book! I cannot wait to give it to the kindergarten teacher at my kid's school. I know all the new incoming kids are going to relate to this book. I think kids will be able to ease into school a bit easier seeing how many changes and goodbyes they have had up to this point in their young lives. It is beautiful and illustrated with bright and vibrant colors. I love the rhyming text. Kids will love listeing and parents will love reading it, as will teachers.
April 24, 2019
A book that shows a lot of situations where goodbye prepares you for a new and exciting hello. I think this will be the perfect book to read with my students as I am leaving my school at the end of the year. Things that we have loved change or we change and it's time to move on to new hellos.
July 5, 2018
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Goodbye Brings Hello, written by Dianne White and illustrated by Daniel Wiseman, a cheerful and gentle look at why changes – even scary ones – can be exciting.
Changes can be daunting, especially the big ones. But it’s important to remember that when we say goodbye to the old, we say hello to the new. You may be sad that you’ve outgrown your beloved old sweater, but it makes room in your closet for a fresh new winter coat. It may be hard to give away your old tricycle, but it means that you’re ready to take your big girl bike out for a ride. Haircuts, new shoes, flying in a plane from home to go visit grandparents – leaving the old might be scary, but it allows to new into our lives. And after all that changing and growing, you might just be ready for the next step, and the one after that, knowing that for each goodbye, there’s a chance to say hello.
Just lovely. This is a great way of discussing change with kids, and encourages them to find what’s exciting about what that change may bring. The simple yet adorable illustrations give plenty of examples – culminating in the children’s first day of school – but the lesson and language is broad enough to help little ones through any sort of major or minor life changes they may be dealing with. A cheerful, diverse cast of kids are featured in the art, which keeps things minimal but still manages to express emotion and humor wonderfully. The length is great, and JJ enjoyed the bright colors and simple figures. A dose of encouraging words for the unsure that can help during difficult transitions, and we loved it. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by a representative of the author in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
August 21, 2018
If there is one thing that many people hate, it's change. It can be difficult to adjust when something we've grown used to isn't the same anymore. It truly requires effort to say goodbye to the familiar. This book highlights some of those changes and the fact that when we say goodbye to something, we are often saying hello to something else. And those hellos can be fabulous. Whether it's learning to pump on a swing, or moving from a preschool trike to a big kid bike, or trying a new hair style, change can be exciting and joyful as well as scary and difficult. The book takes the reader through several different changes, leading up to a big goodbye/hello: the first day of school. The book is a cute way to introduce young readers to those changes that come our way and how they can be a wonderful thing if we approach them right.
July 2, 2018
Goodbye Brings Hello will be a great book for the first week of school. Saying goodbye isn't always easy (almost never), but when you know it brings a new hello of some sort, you can see it from a fresh perspective. This book will be so helpful for children working through any kind of transition in their life. Saying goodbye, doesn't always have to be bad.
July 11, 2018
Young children are often frightened by the prospect of change, which they may see as uncertain and moving beyond their comfort zone. Dianne White’s picture book, Goodbye Brings Hello, can help them see that change can bring positive things into their lives.
Daniel Wiseman’s beautiful illustrations start the book with a depiction of trees changing with the seasons to set the tone that change is normal and expected. The story starts off depicting a child on a swing, and the words, “There are many ways of letting go. With each goodbye, a new hello.” The child is uncertain as he sits on a still swing, but on the next page you see him smiling as he holds the lines and swings through the air.
The book helps children see change as positive at common times of worry, such as outgrowing clothes, traveling to visit grandparents, learning to ride a bicycle, getting a haircut, and more. The book ends with leaving parents at home and starting school, one of the biggest worries of all.
I believe Goodbye Brings Hello is a great book for parents to read aloud, helping them calm common childhood fears so their children can see the positives of growing up.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Daniel Wiseman’s beautiful illustrations start the book with a depiction of trees changing with the seasons to set the tone that change is normal and expected. The story starts off depicting a child on a swing, and the words, “There are many ways of letting go. With each goodbye, a new hello.” The child is uncertain as he sits on a still swing, but on the next page you see him smiling as he holds the lines and swings through the air.
The book helps children see change as positive at common times of worry, such as outgrowing clothes, traveling to visit grandparents, learning to ride a bicycle, getting a haircut, and more. The book ends with leaving parents at home and starting school, one of the biggest worries of all.
I believe Goodbye Brings Hello is a great book for parents to read aloud, helping them calm common childhood fears so their children can see the positives of growing up.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 31, 2018
Missed the mark for me. A random collection of new experiences that range from jumping in a pool to tying shoes, to first solo airplane flight, culminating in the first day of school. These firsts are combined with simple changes like a new haircut and the sensation of swinging (goodbye earth and hello sky). These changes don't occur in a linear fashion, and seem out of step with chronological milestones, and ultimately some episodes relate directly to starting school while others are totally random. Just didn't resonate with me.
The illustrations encompass a nicely diverse cast of characters, and the text is clipped and rhymey and cheerful. Overall just seemed a little loose and in need of tightening up.
The illustrations encompass a nicely diverse cast of characters, and the text is clipped and rhymey and cheerful. Overall just seemed a little loose and in need of tightening up.
June 19, 2018
I get the concept, but it missed the mark a bit for me just because it felt a little stunted since it kept changing topics. I wish they'd have kept "A Book of Firsts" as part of the title because I think that would have gotten me in the right mindset before readings. Decent first day of school book or just general trying new things/growing up book.
August 31, 2018
A charming rhyming book on the small, and large milestones as your world changes around you, and you adapt to the changes. From velcro to lace up shoes, from trikes to big kid bikes, to venturing out for the first day of school, adventure awaits as you let go, by saying goodbye to the old, and hello to the new.
April 24, 2019
A book that shows a lot of situations where goodbye prepares you for a new and exciting hello. I think this will be the perfect book to read with my students as I am leaving my school at the end of the year. Things that we have loved change or we change and it's time to move on to new hellos.
October 8, 2018
If this was written for incoming kindergarten students, I think they will not necessarily catch the point—not clear enough. Mamas will cry, though.
June 5, 2018
Thanks to Blue Slip Media and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
GOODBYE BRINGS HELLO is a new picture book that’s perfect for encouraging little ones to try new things. It celebrates the big milestones in children’s lives, while encouraging them to look forward to what’s to come.
Remember those moments in childhood? Those moments when you had to give up your favorite blanket because big kids don’t need blankies? Or you outgrew your most comfortable nightgown, the one with the frayed lace and the ripped hem? Maybe the time when you still wanted to play with dolls, but your friend was ready to move on to “teenager stuff.” (<–Can you tell all of this happened to me?)
Kids are often tempted to hold on to childhood favorites because they can’t see the exciting new things on the horizon. In GOODBYE BRINGS HELLO, author Dianne White gently suggests that while it’s hard to set aside what we’re used to, it will be worth it. You never know what adventures will be waiting for you.
The vibrant illustrations by Daniel Wiseman depict diverse kids bravely trying new things.
GOODBYE BRINGS HELLO would serve well as an encouragement to a nervous child who is nearing a new stage. It would also be a wonderful gift book for a child facing any life change–new sibling, new school, new house or whatever you can dream of.
GOODBYE BRINGS HELLO is a new picture book that’s perfect for encouraging little ones to try new things. It celebrates the big milestones in children’s lives, while encouraging them to look forward to what’s to come.
Remember those moments in childhood? Those moments when you had to give up your favorite blanket because big kids don’t need blankies? Or you outgrew your most comfortable nightgown, the one with the frayed lace and the ripped hem? Maybe the time when you still wanted to play with dolls, but your friend was ready to move on to “teenager stuff.” (<–Can you tell all of this happened to me?)
Kids are often tempted to hold on to childhood favorites because they can’t see the exciting new things on the horizon. In GOODBYE BRINGS HELLO, author Dianne White gently suggests that while it’s hard to set aside what we’re used to, it will be worth it. You never know what adventures will be waiting for you.
The vibrant illustrations by Daniel Wiseman depict diverse kids bravely trying new things.
GOODBYE BRINGS HELLO would serve well as an encouragement to a nervous child who is nearing a new stage. It would also be a wonderful gift book for a child facing any life change–new sibling, new school, new house or whatever you can dream of.
January 12, 2019
Thank you to Blue Slip Media for a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Happy Book Birthday to Goodbye Brings Hello! This charming picture book showcases many goodbye and hello moments in a preschooler’s life ranging from saying goodbye to a too small sweater to moving on from velcro shoes.The vibrant, colorful illustrations help the reader visualize each situation, as well as to imagine the feelings the little ones are experiencing. Each set of pages offers a scenario that provides a perfect conversation starter about transitions in a child’s life. Of course, some of these changes might bring lots of anxiety to your little one, so seeing these worries come alive on the pages of the book will let them know they are not alone. They will learn that other children have the same concerns they do such as jumping into a swimming pool for the first time, attempting to ride a bike without the training wheels or even walking into school on their first day. By talking about these challenges, they will gain the courage to face them.
This is picture book that I’m sure will prove to be a family favorite and will be a frequently requested bedtime story. It’s also one mom and dad will want to read whenever those new situations prove to be a little scary, and their little ones need to bravely face the next new thing in their lives.
Happy Book Birthday to Goodbye Brings Hello! This charming picture book showcases many goodbye and hello moments in a preschooler’s life ranging from saying goodbye to a too small sweater to moving on from velcro shoes.The vibrant, colorful illustrations help the reader visualize each situation, as well as to imagine the feelings the little ones are experiencing. Each set of pages offers a scenario that provides a perfect conversation starter about transitions in a child’s life. Of course, some of these changes might bring lots of anxiety to your little one, so seeing these worries come alive on the pages of the book will let them know they are not alone. They will learn that other children have the same concerns they do such as jumping into a swimming pool for the first time, attempting to ride a bike without the training wheels or even walking into school on their first day. By talking about these challenges, they will gain the courage to face them.
This is picture book that I’m sure will prove to be a family favorite and will be a frequently requested bedtime story. It’s also one mom and dad will want to read whenever those new situations prove to be a little scary, and their little ones need to bravely face the next new thing in their lives.
July 9, 2018
Interest Level: K-3; Reading Level: 1.9
Have you ever been afraid to try something new? Who hasn't? Dianne White's Goodbye Brings Hello shows young kids that letting go of one thing can actually bring you something new and better. Goodbye tricycle... hello bicycle. Goodbye velcro shoes...hello laced shoes. Will they be able to let go of home and go to school? Read this precious story to find out!
This rhyming text will have kids anticipating the next page. One activity I think would be great is to pause after each page and see if the students can predict what might be next. This is also a fantastic book for any child who is getting ready for their first day of school. Such a cute story - don't miss it!
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February 19, 2019
Goodbye Brings Hello by Dianne White, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman. PICTURE BOOK. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. $18.9780544798755
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
What happens when last year’s favorite sweater is too tight? Are you willing to let go and try something different? Are you ready for the transition of trike to bike? What about crayons to pencils? Saying goodbye to one thing means saying hello to something new and sometimes having to find courage to do something different.
Goodbye Brings Hello demonstrates how we have to let go of the comforting and step forward to try new and different things. Life is full of transitions. This book shows how new can be daunting and scary, but it can be good too. The illustrations and poetry form of the book are fun.
Diann, Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
What happens when last year’s favorite sweater is too tight? Are you willing to let go and try something different? Are you ready for the transition of trike to bike? What about crayons to pencils? Saying goodbye to one thing means saying hello to something new and sometimes having to find courage to do something different.
Goodbye Brings Hello demonstrates how we have to let go of the comforting and step forward to try new and different things. Life is full of transitions. This book shows how new can be daunting and scary, but it can be good too. The illustrations and poetry form of the book are fun.
Diann, Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
June 11, 2018
Thank you kidlitexchange for sharing a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Goodbye Brings Hello by Dianne White is so sweet! As a mom there are many moments where I am smiling and crying at the same time! Anyone else feel like that?! New milestones and changes in their little lives makes me so happy, BUT time is flying and sometimes those changes need to slow down! This picture book is really adorable. You see the good byes in going to school, growing taller, learning new things, taking new steps. You see the new hellos that come bringing some scared feelings! ‘With each goodbye a new hello.’ I am writing that sentence down to help me with our PreK and Kindergarten graduations coming up! Definitely ordering this book for its June 26th release date!
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Goodbye Brings Hello by Dianne White is so sweet! As a mom there are many moments where I am smiling and crying at the same time! Anyone else feel like that?! New milestones and changes in their little lives makes me so happy, BUT time is flying and sometimes those changes need to slow down! This picture book is really adorable. You see the good byes in going to school, growing taller, learning new things, taking new steps. You see the new hellos that come bringing some scared feelings! ‘With each goodbye a new hello.’ I am writing that sentence down to help me with our PreK and Kindergarten graduations coming up! Definitely ordering this book for its June 26th release date!
.
September 27, 2018
Children experience changes as they approach the first day of kindergarten.
Rather than a straightforward linear progression, life is a series of stair steps, and what this book seeks to explain to small children is the continual cycle of beginnings and endings that results. It uses common everyday activities, such as outgrowing clothing and learning to write on lined paper, to illustrate this concept. Moving through life's stages and leaving behind the familiar can be frightening, and this book takes a positive reassuring approach.
I found this book oddly philosophical at the onset, conjuring the ideas "“Everything that has a beginning has an ending." and "Whatever has a Beginning has an End." But then it drops the concept neverending starts and stops and switches to changes as one grows up and reaches school age. That was a bit of a bait and switch.
Rather than a straightforward linear progression, life is a series of stair steps, and what this book seeks to explain to small children is the continual cycle of beginnings and endings that results. It uses common everyday activities, such as outgrowing clothing and learning to write on lined paper, to illustrate this concept. Moving through life's stages and leaving behind the familiar can be frightening, and this book takes a positive reassuring approach.
I found this book oddly philosophical at the onset, conjuring the ideas "“Everything that has a beginning has an ending." and "Whatever has a Beginning has an End." But then it drops the concept neverending starts and stops and switches to changes as one grows up and reaches school age. That was a bit of a bait and switch.
July 17, 2020
Goodbyes can lead to new experiences and opportunities, and new chances to say “hello”. This reassuring story follows a group of children meeting growing up milestones (outgrowing a favorite clothing item, riding a bike, etc), culminating in the first day of school. It’s a nice story to read with children, especially if they might be fearful or nervous about an upcoming change. It could be helpful for getting excited about what’s up next as well! The pictures are cute and cheerful, with bright colors. The children depicted are somewhat diverse-there are both boys and girls in a range of races, however there are not any disabilities represented.
November 7, 2018
Goodbye Brings Hello would be a perfect book to include in a baby shower gift set for a new mom and dad along with classics, Your Baby's First Year, and Oh, the Places You'll Go. Children will have many firsts as they grow up and this book addresses a few with simplicity and love. Dianne White offers a lyrical welcome to saying goodbye and saying hello. Daniel Wiseman illustrates with simple drawings any small child will enjoy.
April 28, 2021
I liked this better before I read it out loud in storytime... It felt like it needed a ton of explaining. For example, the pool and the PBJ spreads were hard for me to link the hellos and goodbyes. The rhymes were good and the illustrations are cute, but at times it just felt a little out of reach with the theme.
July 4, 2018
Lovely book about saying goodbye to things and saying hello to the new things. I loved it. Great illustrations and it had such a nice flow (like a poem) throughout the whole book.
"With each goodbye, a new hello".
"With each goodbye, a new hello".
October 17, 2018
The central theme is obvious in the title, and it plays out with diverse kids in familiar situations. Each scene invites discussion and connection to personal experiences, emotions, worries, and prediction. A must-have for every preschool and early elementary collection, as well as home shelves.
July 4, 2019
7/2/2019 ~ A gentle rhyming text four our younger readers; great for the early days of school, or anytime a change is coming. I enjoyed the way we saw each character on their own, and then saw them all come together on the bus stop.
July 8, 2021
A sweet and clever concept book about transitions and firsts that little ones sometime worry about. As with all of the author's books, the length is perfect and the verse is fresh and flawlessly crafted.
June 14, 2023
This book uses rhyming lines to convey the idea of changes and facing new expires as the character prepares to begin school. This book is sweet and shows a good example of being brave and the good of trying new things.
January 4, 2018
Celebrating the milestones in a kid's life; diverse cast.
June 26, 2018
Adorable book about milestones and the memories that go with them. A wonderful and encouraging book for children.
July 2, 2018
Perfect for elementary teachers on the first day of school.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews