My Name is Yoon
Written by Helen Recorvitz
Illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska
Yoon’s name means “shining wisdom,” and when she writes it in Korean, it looks happy, like dancing figures. But her father tells her that she must learn to write it in English. In English, all the lines and circles stand alone, which is just how Yoon feels in the United States. Yoon isn’t sure that she wants to be YOON. At her new school, she tries out different names―maybe CAT or BIRD. Maybe CUPCAKE!
Helen Recorvits’s spare and inspiring story about a little girl finding her place in a new country is given luminous pictures filled with surprising vistas and dreamscapes by Gabi Swiatkowska. (via Amazon)
Small Talk
Here are some conversation starters to get you and your little one talking about the book!
- How does Yoon feel about living in America? Why do you think she feels that way?
- What doesn’t Yoon like about her name?
- What does your name mean?
- What’s your favorite thing about your name?
