Title: Yoon and the Christmas Mitten
Author: Helen Recorvits (illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska)
About the Author: Helen lives in Rhode Island. She loved to listen to stories when she was young, her favorite being Cinderella. She loved to write her own stories and started around the time she was eight years old. When she was a teenager she wrote a weekly column for a local newspaper. She went to Rhode Island College where she studied education and psychology. Now she is a second grade teacher. Helen loves reading and writing stories.
Synopsis: In My Name Is Yoon, Yoon's parents encouraged her to write her name in English instead of Korean. Now it's Yoon's turn to teach her parents about something she's learned in America. When Yoon's teacher lends her a book about Santa Claus, Yoon can't wait to show it to her parents. To Yoon's disappointment, though, her mother responds, "We are not a Christmas family." As Christmas Eve approaches, Yoon learns more and more about this exciting holiday. But no matter how hard she tries to convince her parents to sing Christmas songs or put up Christmas stockings, they always say no. A determined Yoon soon realizes that she must use her own "Shining Wisdom" to persuade her parents that they can indeed be a Christmas family.
Distinctive and glowing pictures with brushstrokes echoing Renoir accompany this charming story that rings true and reaches deep.
Theme(s): Korean, Christmas, customs, traditions, culture, determination, disappointment
How it can be used in the elementary classroom: This book can be used to show cultural differences and the acceptance of new cultures. Students can learn that Koreans celebrate the New Year. Teachers can educate their students about the New Year. Teachers can also point out that some people have multiple cultures and that it is okay to celebrate both cultures’ traditions. I think that it would be very beneficial to bring awareness to the acceptance of other cultures and their traditions.
Barnes and Noble
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