Meet a book that is loved by children, teachers, and parents alike. Considered a classic, this book tells the tale of being the new person in a new place, and the choices that this experience can present to a child. This book won several awards and remains in publication after 20+ years due to its popularity.
Why Read This Book
The Name Jar tells a story about what it’s like to be the new person in a new place. It’s a situation that happens all the time to children. Sometimes it’s going to a new school, moving to a new town, going to a new camp. Sometimes it’s moving to a new country with a new language to learn and new cultural customs. A story like The Name Jar can give children a framework to better understand what it’s like to be the new person.
I love that the story draws from the author/illustrator’s own experience. I’ve included a photo of the inside flap from the hardcover edition (see below) so you can read more about how her journey informed this story.
My favorite parts of this book are how the story starts and then how it develops. How the character keeps her own identify and how she shares it with her new classmates. She finds a way to become part of her new country, but she doesn’t give up her sense of self from the country she came from. It’s very brave and strong – a nice character for children to have as a role model.
This book is lovely and not to be missed! A very kind and thoughtful story!
Book Facts
Author and Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
Copyright: 2001
Publisher: Originally published in hardcover the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. Paperback edition shown in this article published by Dragonfly Books an imprint of Random House Children’s Books.
Age Range: Emerging and Independent Readers, ages 5 to 12
About the Book Art: Painting. Learn more about Yangsook Choi and her art at her website.
Get the Book The Name Jar
The Name Jar is available both new and used.
- Buy new from Bookshop.
- Buy used from Thriftbooks.
Expansion Circle Ideas for The Name Jar
Use my technique of Expansion Circles to springboard from this book to more learning. Especially if your child shows interest in wanting to know more about this story. Follow that interest! Expansion Circles are a fun technique that you can use at home or in homeschool. Using an Expansion Circle can help to make learning fun for your kids and you get to learn with them which is something they will really enjoy and treasure. Remember to follow your child’s interests and don’t push or test them in any way. You’re not trying to reproduce school. The goal is to simply enjoy learning!
This list gives you a few ideas of where to start. The key is to watch your child to see what questions they ask or what topics they want to explore. Then follow that interest.
- Learn more about a Korean dojang, a name chop like the one in the story.
- Find South Korea on a globe or a maps app (Google Maps is fun, the Barefoot World Atlas app is outstanding and well worth the small cost).
- Visit the author’s website and social media. See what you can discover!
- Go to your local library and ask the librarian to help you find other books by this author.
- Try some kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food, or find a Korean restaurant to visit.
- Get your watercolor paints and try a painting in the style of this author/illustrator.
Acknowledgement
With thanks and appreciation to my mom. She found this book (she’s got a first edition!) and shared it with me.
I couldn’t resist and had to get my-very-own-copy for my home library. And now we’re sharing it with all of our readers here at Beehive Books and Art.
See Inside The Name Jar
Click any photo to view it larger.
What is that red item you see on the book’s title page in the second photo? Read the book to find out!
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