Good-Bye hello by Barbara Shook Hazen (1995) is an interesting book for the budding social scientist. It’s not just a story about a family move. It’s a story about a family moving from city to suburb. A young blonde girl waves goodbye to her neighborhood swings and corner store. She says goodbye to a pigeon, stray cat, and doorman. This white-looking family is leaving apartment neighbors who are depicted in friendly diversity. She cries as she waves goodbye to her Black friend. In her new house she’s got a yard, at least two floors, and an attic. Michael Bryant’s illustrations are fine enough.
I made a move from city to suburb almost 30 years ago. I was surprised by the homogeneity and the small town way of thinking that came with the house and yard. Most of the community attended the local Catholic church, and because I was of a different faith, it was impossible to integrate into that network of families. My child found that playmates at school were often cousins, members of families who’d lived in the town for generations.
I closed this book wondering about how the little girl responded to a change in location. I believe it will she change her future.
