Yoon, is a little girl who came to the United States from Korea. It is a country "far away", she says as she narrates this sweet holiday story.
Yoon's teacher reads a story about Mr Santa Claus, and how he brings presents on Christmas Eve. This is something new to Yoon, so when he teacher lets her bring home the book to share with he family, she is thrilled. Her parents, however, are NOT so thrilled. They tell Yoon, "We are not a Christmas family", adding that their holiday is "New Year's Day". Yoon is mad at her parent's reaction and cannot understand why they do not like Santa Claus, or Christmas.
The next day Yoon and her classmates make popcorn balls to take home and to hang on the trees for the birds. Yoon's mother is upset because she does not like birds or squirrels. Yoon then begins to tell her mother about Santa's reindeer, but again she is stopped mid way when her mother says, "we are not a Christmas family". But, Yoon does not give up that easily, she begs her parents to allow her to leave out her bright red mitten on the night before Christmas. Her parents reluctantly agree, and she attaches the red mitten to the corner of her bed before she goes to sleep. When she wakes up she finds something special was left for her after all.
Yoon and the Christmas Mitten
was a very sweet and touching story. It was the perfect type of book that would allow teachers and parents to discuss the holiday and how it is celebrated by people of other cultures. The watercolor illustrations by Gabi Swiatkowska was just lovely and the way they are drawn depicts what a young child who is different from most others in school, might be feeling or experiencing. Well done and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.RATING - 5/5 stars
Library book (ages 4-8)
Sounds like a very sweet book. I like the idea that this little girl who had never celebrated Christmas before did get something in her mitten after all.
ReplyDeleteCross cultural barriers are still very much alive! I personally know how my relatives were horrified at the amount of meats consumed during Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful sounding book -- and with illustrations as well! I think this might be a wonderful book to pick up as a gift. Thanks for posting this one!!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is definitely a sweet book! I would love to read this one to Aarya!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really sweet one!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely book with an important message! I really want to have a look at this one, and that cover is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so wonderful. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteThanks for highlighting this book. It sounds delightful.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very sweet learning opportunity for everyone!
ReplyDeleteSounds cute!!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this book. Thank you!
ReplyDelete