Literature Book Club #2- Multi- Cultural

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.

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Literature Book Club #2- Multi-Cultural

Title: The Best Hanukkah Ever

Author: Barbara Diamond Goldin (Illustrated by Avi Katz)





About the Author: Goldin lives in Massachusetts. She has always been an avid-reader and loved going to the library. She also loved telling stories. Goldin has written numerous books centered on Jewish themes. She has received the Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work award in 1997 from the Association of Jewish Libraries. Goldin was previously a preschool teacher, language arts teacher, and a writing instructor. She now conducts writing workshops and works as a librarian.

Age Level: 4-8

Synopsis: The Knoodle family is about to celebrate Hanukkah. They discuss what the rabbi has told them: "It is hard to give the perfect gift, one that will be treasured forever." What did the rabbi mean? Thinking they’re to give one another a gift they’d really love to have themselves, they pick names from a hat. Bubby Sadie gives Little Yekl a pickle barrel. Mama Pearl gives Papa Jack a straw hat with yellow daisies -- something she has wanted her whole life! And so it goes. No one is happy...until the rabbi arrives and with Little Yekl s help, straightens things out. Then they all celebrate "the best Hanukkah ever!" Avi Katz s illustrations rendered in digital media bring this endearing story about holiday miscommunication to a proper conclusion.

Theme(s): Hanukkah, gift giving, traditions, Jewish customs, culture

How it can be used in the elementary classroom: This book would be a great way to incorporate Jewish customs into the classroom. Many times, teachers only focus on Christmas but many students come from different religions. It would also be a great resource to just educate students on another holiday that is celebrated by others. This book really discusses the traditions of people that are Jewish. It also discusses Hanukkah and what it is all about. Teachers could do lessons that compare typical Christmas traditions with the traditions of Hanukkah. Teachers could also celebrate Hanukkah in their classrooms and use this book in their unit of study.

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