This is a genuinely beautiful picture book that earns its Caldecott Medal. Norton Juster brings the same literary sensibility from The Phantom Tollbooth to the picture book format, and Chris Raschka's illustrations are bold and emotionally alive in a way that stands out from generic children's book art.

It's not a plot-driven story—it's more like a prose poem about the feelings of visiting grandparents, the rituals of arrival and departure, and how a simple kitchen window becomes the frame for all of life's important moments. Some kids (and parents) will find this slow or boring if they're expecting action. But for families who value gentle, emotionally intelligent books that validate relationships over entertainment, this is a gem.

The 2024 paperback release makes it more accessible, and it's an excellent choice for grandparents to keep at their house or to give as gifts. Just know what you're getting: this is quiet, tender, and literary—not silly, exciting, or particularly entertaining in a conventional sense.