Bad Bye, Good Bye
Deborah Underwood, Author
Jonathan Bean, Illustrator
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Fiction, 2014
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes: Moving, Packing up a household, Saying good-bye, New home and friends
Opening: “Bad day/Bad box/Bad mop/Bad blocks/Bad truck/Bad guy/Bad wave/Bad bye.”
Book Jacket Synopsis: Change is hard. And when you’re moving away from your old home and your old friends, GOOD BYE can feel like BAD BYE. But could your new town hold surprises that turn BAD BYE into a GOOD BYE again? BAD BYE, GOOD BYE is perfect for moving day or any of life’s tough transitions.
Why I like this book: Deborah Underwood uses minimal text in the form of two-word phrases on each page to tell this heartwarming story about a family moving. Jonathan Bean’s colorful collage-like watercolor illustrations show the roller coaster of emotions the boy and girl feel as pack up their home, say goodbye to friends and travel by car to a new city, house and school. The story has a nice rhythmic feel as well as rhyming. “New house/New hall/New room/New wall.” For some children change is harder than for others. This book will be a great comfort for children on the move this summer to new homes before the next school year begins. BAD BYE, GOOD BYE can be used when there are other physical changes and separations (divorce, job or military) and grief.
Deborah Underwood is the New York Times best-selling San Francisco-base author of The Quiet Book and The Loud Book. Visit Deborah’s website.
Jonathan Bean’s illustration accolades include the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Award. Visit Jonathan’s website.
Book Giveaway: I will be giving away one copy of BAD BYE, GOOD BYE. All you have to do is leave a comment and indicate whether you’d like to be in the drawing. I will announce the winner next Wednesday, June 25.
Children's Books Heal 
I LOVE this website and I would also LOVE to win this Giveaway. We own the book @ The Robbins Library in Arlington, MA where I work.
Keep up the good work!
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Thank you! I am glad you like the book. Thanks for stopping.
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This looks like a lovely, clever book. I have moved so many times, I can’t count. It’s now traumatic to think of moving again, so yes! I would love to be in the draw, also.
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It is a very simple book. Children and adults will enjoy the book together. I feel the same way. The though of moving, UGH!
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Bad Bye Good Bye, reminds me of the “Good Bad and the Ugly” phrase. Moving is a difficult time especially with working parent or moving to a new country. A wonderful theme and those ILLUSTRATIONS are WOW, I love Jonathan Bean’s work.
Please enter me to win one of the books please.
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It is a wonderful theme for a book, written with spare text. And, yes you would love the illustrations.
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This sounds lovely, Pat. Deborah is great fun on Facebook, I didn’t know about her other books. I’ll have to check them out.
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Yes, she is active and fun on facebook. Haven’t checked out her other books.
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Change can be so bittersweet. The sparse text sounds like the perfect tone for the space we people can get into when we are feeling all those feelings and trying to get our minds around the changes. I’m glad to know about this book. Please enter me in the drawing.
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It is a wonderful conversation book because it will help kids share their feelings. Moving is hard on adults, so we can only imagine how children feel. You’d enjoy the sparse text and beautiful illustrations!
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Pat, What a sweet book! Please include me in the giveaway contest. Thanks.
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It is a sweet book. Will includ you in the drawing.
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Being a military kid I would’ve definitely identified with this book! I’d love to be included in the drawing. 🙂
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I immediately thought about military children as I read this book, as I know many military families. Live in a Dayton, a big Air Force city.
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I would love to win this book. It sounds adorable. I LOVE change, but for kids, it can be tough.
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You would love the sparrsity of text and the colorful collage-like illustrations. Very well done.
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I enjoyed the author’s The Loud Book and The Quiet Book, so I reckon this would go down very well with me, too. Please enter me in the drawing if the giveaway is open worldwide. 🙂 Thanks!
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Thank you for stopping Claudine. I haven’t read Deborah’s other two books. This one is shows a lot of emotion and action in so few words and gorgeous artwork.
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Moving is hard at all stages of your life so I can see how this book would be comforting to little people. We are planning a big move ourselves so i think I need this book too. I would ,love to be included in the draw.
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I’m happy you enjoyed the book. It is a clever book with a sparsity of words and beautiful illustration. Good luck with you move — makes me shudder. So much work. Thanks for tweeting!
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What a great choice! 🙂
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It is a great book for young children, Erik!
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I am a big Debbie Underwood fan and relate to this book so well. please include me in the drawing.
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Glad you like her latest book. Will enter you!
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Just viewing the art work on the cover, I’m drawn to the book. Plus, I think for young children, it could be helpful if preparing for a big move. Change really is difficult, but it can also turn out to be wonderful. Great share. 🙂
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Moves are hard. I’m glad you are drawn to the book.
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I love Rhythm in a book!! So many emotions tied up in moving. I’ve moved several times and it makes the heart go crazy! This looks like an excellent book that I need to check out! Thanks for sharing!
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I loved this book Rhythm — and it did have a rhythm to it. Great book for you to share with kids.
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