About this item
In My Name Is Yoon, Yoons parents encouraged her to write her name in English instead of Korean. Now its Yoons turn to teach her parents about something shes learned in America. When Yoons teacher lends her a book about Santa Claus, Yoon cant wait to show it to her parents. To Yoons 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.
About the Author
Helen Recorvits was born in Rhode Island and graduated from Rhode Island College with a degree in education and psychology. She went on to earn a Master's degree and also a certification in gifted and talented education. A former educator, Helen now devotes her time to writing and to speaking at conferences and literary events.
Her first novel, GOODBYE WALTER MALINSKI(Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1999) was chosen a National Council for Social Studies Notable Trade Book, and her second novel WHERE HEROES HIDE(2002) also received many fine reviews.
In 2003, her first picture book MY NAME IS YOON was published by FSG. YOON was chosen as an outstanding book of the year by the New York Is Book Country Committee, and was also named an ALA Notable Children's Book and an IRA Notable Books for a Global Society. It was listed as a Best Book of the Year by Child Magazine,Family Magazine, Bank Street Books, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal, and it was also a Booklist Editors' Choice. YOON also received the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award.
YOON AND THE CHRISTMAS MITTEN (2006) was chosen an NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies book.
YOON AND THE JADE BRACELET(2008)
was chosen a Society of School Librarians International Honor Book and a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year.
Her books have been translated into Danish, French, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Helen says,"I remember my mother reading to me when I was two years old. My favorite books were Cinderella and The Pokey Little Puppy. I began writing my own stories and sharing them with my cousins when I was eight years old. When I was a teenager, I wrote a weekly column for a local newspaper."
Today Helen, mother of two grown sons, lives with her husband in the peaceful, woodsy town of Glocester, Rhode Island. Helen says, "I love reading and writing stories about interesting characters -- people trying to find their place in life, people with hope in their hearts."
