Day Books

My family loves this book. It's a wonderful blending of the story of St. Valentine and the struggle for racial equality today. The children and situations in the story are believeable and real. They provide a great premise for discussing predjudice with my children while also learning how the sacrificial love demonstrated by St. Valentine can apply to life situations today. We liked this book so much that when our first copy got accidentally destroyed, we hunted down another through Amazon.com to replace it.

While I agree with all that has been said on the this page about this book, I have to add that it would be appropriate for all elementary and even junior high school students as it deals with the issues of race and racial reconciliation in a powerful way.

I love this book because it presents a powerful message in a simple, unsentimental way. The illustrations are amazing -- I'm partial because my daughter and ex-husband were models for several of the illustrations that appear in the book! So thank you, Don Tate. You did a wonderful job, as did the author. A beautiful story about something most of us have a hard time doing: loving our enemies.

simply beautiful, both visually and linguistically...powerful meaning as well...I recommend it highly.

I bought one copy of the board version of the book and loved it. I promptly ordered 10 more copies and several copies of the hardcover book for the children in my church. The hardcover has more text and is even better than the board book. Both books talk about Christ; saint Valentine - who was a Christian who suffered in jail, but blessed and converted his jailers- about the civil rights movement and peaceful resistance, about familiy values and closeness, and EVEN ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH A SCHOOL BULLY. Its main message is that we should not fight evil with evil, but should bless our enemies. At the last page, Marcus, the boy in the story, stretches out his hand and asks the class bully to accept his friendship. It reminded me of Christ's call to humanity to accept Him and his salvation... it's up to each person to accept. I highly recommend the book, either version.

My wife is Jewish and I am in the process of conversion. I bought the book version and each year, I've faithfully bought the calendars and have given them as gifts.

They're informative, respectful, sensitive, hilarious, and I often feel I'm given a little bit of Judaica on each page.

A superb and highly enjoyable work!

I highly recommend this series.

Alan Lennox, Va

I recommend this calendar for anyone interested in Jewish culture and humor. As a history and trivia buff, I found it loaded with unusual and interesting facts and figures too.

Extremely well-edited, this author has a gift for picking just the right material, and blending beautifully to give the reader a rich experience.

More a book than calendar, I suggest you buy two: one to use, and one to keep as a reference.

Marilyn Shoen

NYC

FUNNY, FAT, FULL!!! OK, IT'S NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT TO BE ETHNIC. WHO CARES? THIS IS AN ETHNIC BOUQUET OF A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING. I WAS PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED WITH THE INFORMATION ABOUT NON-JEWS WHO CAME TO THE AID OF JEWS.

A WINNER. I LOVE GETTING AND GIVING IT.

IRV SACKOFF,
WEST VIRGINIA

Ususally calendars are simplistic -- a gimmick behind a date. A Little Joy, A Little Oy was a shocker. It's a superb blending of date and facts, humor, sentiment. Filled with information that many books don't offer, it far exceeded our expectations.

For anyone interested in Yiddishkeit I recommend it highly! A unique offering.

Ernie Small, LA

I received the book version as a gift, then I went out and bought the calendar in 2002, fell in love with the thoroughness of the entries. Then again in 2003 and now in 2004.

It never fails to disappoint. Frankly, I'm amazed that the entries are not only fresh, unusual, hysterical, but keep getting better and more seasoned.

It's full of a variety of Yinglishisms, which are my favorites, along with history, literature. Something for everyone.

I'm buying them up as great gifts.

More please!

Jason Blauvelt

Living With Loss was given to me after I lost my husband to cancer. I passed it on to another and have since purchased many more to give to others. I read an entry each day and found connections beyond belief. Along with prayers,family, friends, and a wonderful support group, this book was a great savior.

A comforting companion as widows live through the first 365 days following the loss of their spouse. This book reflected the same feelings that I was experiencing. The words supported my thoughts and helped me travel through the valley of loneliness and grief. A gift that should be given to any woman faced with the overwhelming burden of loss.

When my mother was widowed in her 40's, this book was a godsend for her. I in turn purchased it for a friend of mine, recently widowed in her 40's as well. She said it was the best gift she received and it helped her immensely during the grieving process. I now want to purchase it for another widowed friend and am dismayed to hear it is not in print. I am hopeful it will continue to be printed as its format and easy, brief daily insights, make it comfortable and manageable to read one thought a day to get through the initial shock of being alone.

This book was incalculably helpful to me as I walked numbly through the first year after my husband's death. I received many books from well-intentioned friends, but couldn't find much enthusiasm for reading much at a sitting. This book is in a "daily meditation" format, presenting one idea per day, on one page. This was not too much for my grief-stunned attention span, and dealt with real issues in direct language. I appreciated it so much. Now, 6 years later, I want to purchase it for a friend, and am shocked and dismayed to find it's out of print! I sincerely hope that whoever is responsible for that will reconsider.... I heartily recommend this book for all widows who want to remember, and to gently help themselves heal.

Great book for my purposes -- to use in a pre-school music class.

This book is absolutely adorable!!! A very sweet valentine book with fun, colorful pop-ups and a sweet valentine poem!! Such a great book!!!

I bought this book for my son this past Valentine's Day. He had gotten Halloween Bugs in October and had enjoyed that one so much I thought I would be good for him to have another.

Since my son is 2 we had to explain to him that you do not pull the flowers out. Once we got past that, he seemed to be content with leaving the pop-ups in the book. When we got finished reading it the first time he demanded that we read it again. Even after the tenth time in a row he did not get tired of it. I find I have to hide it sometimes in order to not have to read it 20 times in the same sitting, but it never gets old watching him enjoy it so much.

I bought this book years ago for my now 9 yr old,. Now my 3 yr old has rediscovered all of Carter's books & loves them. She is a girly girl & is usually afraid of bugs but these bugs are so cute, she loves them. Of course as with most pop-up books,it is short & fragile-not for the very young to play with on their own. But it is a must-have for anyone with kids.

The cutest valentine book ever! The pop ups are wonderfully designed and it is a real attention getter! My only complaint is that the book isn't longer!! I would love to see more!

My son is getting married in August. We plan to use this book as their registry. Guests can sign inside the front and back cover with a short note to the couple. Can we get some insight into the crumbling house in the lower left corner? Thanks.

This picture book illustrates the apostle Paul's words from I Corinthians, chapter 13. For parents who want their children to be biblically literate, this is an excellent choice. The illustrations are detailed and thought provoking.

I was disappointed to find that the "Love Is" was not the same as those published in the newspapers quite a few years ago. The couples were different but cute. I had clipped all the Love Is items from the news but in moving to another state they were lost and I was hoping the ones in the book would be the same as those. There were so many new ones I had never heard before. Especially in the original there were none about children or couples after marriage. Those were new. I am happy with the book but still disappointed.

The book "Love is ..." was literally a thoughtful gift from someone who treasures these words from the New Testament, and lives by them. Wendy Anderson Halperin's illustrations are a gift to all readers.

The tiny sketches & watercolor decorations are delightfully reminiscent of the art of Erik Blegvad who illustrated "The Borrowers" and many other children's favorites, and also an annual calendar for Women's Day magazine. Halperin was chosen as illustrator for many lucky writers, including Cynthia Rylant, Pete Seeger, Jane Yolen, Kathryn Lasky, Sarah Orne Jewett and also the 100th Anniversary reissue of Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Racketty Packetty House."

Wendy Halperin as 'adapter' and illustrator says that "how we respond to any person ... object ... situation ... is our choice ... and we can choose to ACT WITH LOVE." Saint Paul's familiar words from his first Letter to the Corinthians date back to 56 A.D. yet never 'grow old'. Reviewer mcHaiku hopes that those who enjoy these interpretations will write some of their own and even share in "Comments." This book will bring much pleasure, especially for the oldest to share with the youngest. Discuss your own definitions of LOVE. Find your favorite of the miniature drawings and talk, for example, about the visionary & muscular work of sculptors, and also the way Love breathes Life into a house. Talk with children about change, and how each of us needs others to comfort and sustain us when change makes the going tough.

This is a beautifully encouraging book brimming with LOVE to share.

My two year old and I pour over this book every night noticing different things in the collage-like pages and having discussions about things like kindness and patience. It's a great springboard for introducing these ideas and inspiring to me to be more loving as I teach my daughter about love. I also appreciate that Halperin includes all kinds of people in her illustrations -- all different races, different cultures, people with disabilities, etc... Our life is a little richer thanks to this book.

The Mad Days of Me Escaping Bracelona by Henry Martin
A must! The story keeps you wondering what comes next yet you read slowly so the book doesn't end.
The main character could be anyone's son, brother or friend.
Down on his luck and high on life's weird ways.
We are rooting for Rudy all the way and marvel at the authors ability to make every same day different. A great read.

Loraine Nordlinger

In The Mad Days of Me: Escaping Barcelona, Martin brilliantly takes the reader on a psychological journey through the mind of the main character, Rudy. After falling victim to a heinous crime, Rudy is left penniless and homeless, forced to live on the cruel streets of Barcelona. As the story unfolds, Rudy faces many obstacles on his quest to survive and find a way out of the city. Martin powerfully captures Rudy's internal and external strife throughout the novel. "My whole world caves in. The walls collapsed with fearful murmur, faces became covered with dust, water changed into fire, all the windows were sealed and no one heard the screams of dying moths." Rudy's story is one of courage and how he amazingly remains human (and sane) in even the most inhumane circumstances. Rudy, the novel's protaganist, is surrounded by multi-dimensional characters including Pilar, the heroin addict saviour and Pietro the madman who holds the key to Rudy's escape.

I was so moved by Rudy's story and his triump against all odds. The novel is at times raw and gritty, which coincides with the setting of the story. It was definitely difficult to put the book down, because I was anxious to see if/how Rudy survives and escapes. The novel's pace is fast; it reads like a movie. Rudy's story is both powerful and riveting and it enabled me to believe that hope can exist, in even the most bleakest of circumstances.

Henry Martin has given us an honest, stream-of-consciousness account of one man's plunge into desperation. When a loner and wanderer named Rudy is raped and robbed on the streets of Barcelona, he's left with no money and no hope for salvation. I was impressed most by Martin's ability to give the reader all the gritty details that must come along with being homeless and starving, from his socks growing into the skin of his feet to the long-term effects of slow starvation. The things most people take for granted, like a mattress to sleep on and food to eat, are all such luxuries to him after he's known the streets for sometime. The way Rudy reveled in the taste of food and drink, even if it was just a day-old hamburger and cheap wine, made me dig inside and wonder if I take too many things for granted every single day. Although there were moments when Rudy seemed to step up on a soapbox and spout his morals and views, even chastising the reader at times, his points were passionately made. The one thing I wish had been expanded on was Rudy's past experiences with mysticism and the shadows; the whole flashback dealing with that threw me for a loop, and left me wishing more had been made of them. A somewhat anticlimactic ending aside, this was an enjoyable novel that will continue to keep my inner conscience in check.

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (6/07)

In "the mad days of me" Henry Martin captures that adventurous side of youth that is willing to trade security for survival and comfort for freedom. Whether from personal experience or from an inner gift, Henry displays amazing insights into man's psyche.

The novel is about nineteen-year old Rudy. In an effort to escape a dead-end factory career job, Rudy ran away from home. He worked his way through Europe. When the odd jobs ran out in Austria, he moved on to Italy. He was unable to find work because of the language barrier. On the spur of the moment, Rudy took a train to Barcelona, Spain.

Martin stirs the imagination of the reader involving all five senses. For instance he has Rudy describe the smells of Barcelona subway station as: "The strong spicy smell...the wild mixture of fragrances evaporating from the flower stands, street vendor's sweat, fried dough, roasted meat, Arabic bread, sea breeze, sweets, tobacco and the perfumes of ever present prostitutes. The kind of smell that will forever remain encrypted in one's mind."

The evening before Rudy plans to leave Barcelona he is attacked, raped, and robbed. He is left without passport or possessions. Rudy finds himself living on the street. After a few short weeks of this Rudy expresses his plight, "...I am becoming one the hopeless bums on the streets, or at least I am starting to see myself as one...the hostile looks of the people willing to kill you for a penny are piercing through my skin." After reading the book, I have new insights into the plight of the homeless. I am not as quick to judge as I do not know their circumstances nor have I experienced the difficulties they must face in a day to day turmoil of hunger, pain, and rejection.

Among the street people Rudy meets is the man who has his passport. Rudy schemes to get it back by traveling with him and his two companions. Rudy faces conflict after conflict, in a life of survival and danger, living on the streets of Barcelona.

Mind-altering drugs, the fleeting hope of romance, near starvation, arrest, and the language barrier are all become a part of Rudy's daily life as he desperately seeks retrieve his passport and to make his escape from Barcelona. At one point Rudy laments the loss of hope and comes to the realization that he is "incapable of feeling joy."

In another situation while sitting with a friend he discovers "the comfortable moment of silence." Rudy observes, "How underrated this great calm? ...people are afraid of it; they feel they need to make small talk...anything just to break the stillness." He discovers gratitude when given extra food, and true friendship among his peers.

Martin introduces an experience of mysticism into the story that reflects on the demons and shadows from Rudy's past. As he tries to fight off these demons, and shadows, he is faced with the hopelessness of escape from Barcelona and an impending threat of death.

Using the first person narrative to tell his story in "the mad days of me" Martin is able to reflect on observations and opinions that are thought-provoking, haunting, and unsettling. Henry Martin's writing is often almost poetic, brilliantly balanced with "gut level" honesty and street level language.

I am looking forward to Henry Martin's next novel.

A magnificent and profound view of desperation and Society's indifference to it.

Many of us cannot even fathom Rudy's situation, his age, his innocence ... so inspired by the city of Barcelona, and so unaware of the brutality that will rip his life apart and ravage his soul. Through Martin's sometimes eloquent, sometimes profound, and sometimes downright blunt words, he pulls us into Rudy's painful world and gives us more than a looking glass view of what it means to be in crisis. From the initial state of panic, to the state of numbing acceptance, and then finally to the epiphanies that come with the state of analysis, whereby one evaluates the state of their life, the state of the world around them, down to state of the fibers of their socks as a metaphor for the very fibers of their being. One hopes, in the end, that they will have found some enlightenment and strength enough to pull themselves from the abyss. And we can't help but root for Rudy, hoping that he will find his.

The story is beautifully crafted -- the way Martin describes all of the wonderful smells and textures of the city and its peoples -- brilliant. And that makes for a sharp contrast to the way Rudy begins to see things after a heinous incident, which befalls him shortly after his arrival. As we move through the story, Rudy begins to change, and the change is evident, you can feel the bile welling up inside of him. That is what is so magnificent about this story ... the torture of change, losing yourself, watching your innocence bled from you little by little ... much like succumbing to a thousand leaches as they gnaw at your heart and soul. The realities of humanity are akin to leaches, slimy, little black shadows clinging to your flesh. They anesthetize you first, and as times drifts by, you don't notice them anymore as they gradually bleed you dry. This change is the true torture of the story, for change is an inevitability, you cannot stop it ... everything you see, hear, and experience every day of your life changes you a bit. And what's done cannot be undone.

There is so much to this story, so, so much to get lost in. Will Rudy escape his plight, will he be able to preserve any of his innocence, or will he perish, ravaged by a strange city and its thin, dark shadows.

Martin's words are fluid and familiar, slipping in and out of consciousness, a moment of philosophy at one turn, and a moment of raw reality at the next -- sometimes savage, yet poetic at the same time. A magnificent effort ... Now I wait with bated breath for the next, for Rudy definitely sinks into the skin.

M. D. Gray, author of "Smilosophy:Getting More Smileage Out of Life" wholeheartedly recommends this one. This book is an easy read and can be taken in small or large portions. The book is filled with quotations that brighten each chapter and author Michael Lynberg has a special way of conveying life changing truths.

This book will truly help everyone see that each day can be a masterpiece. "Make Each Day Your Masterpiece" is a must for any reader who wants more from life and living.

What a great little book! This small book is really a small masterpiece. Lots of wisdom is painted on the pages in an easy-to-read-format that includes anecdotes and quotes from the famous to the humble, including Abraham Lincoln and Mother Teresa. It is chock full of motivational sayings and inspirational messages. Perfect for anyone.

I find this book helpful. I read a chapter each night before bed. My days seem to go better. I showed it to a friend who now wants a copy so I plan to order another one as a xmas gift.
Each chapter reflects want I want to hear. I am on my second time through. I highly recommend this book to help you get your life on track.

This is not one of those long, drawn-out books that keeps one reading for pages before the chapter ends. It is the type of book one can pick up and easily read a chapter in a few short minutes or read the entire book in day. However, there are so many poignant, thought-provoking messages contained within these pages, that it is a book you will want to return to again and again. The book can lift spirits, calm the soul and soothe a broken heart. It is about loving, losing and living and few people ever live a perfect life all the time. Regardless of age or gender, readers will be happy that they purchased the book and will find the words both inspirational and memorable.

M. Scott Peck, author of THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED, calls
one of Michael Lynberg's earlier books "a spiritual
gem." Another of Lynberg's books, Peck says, is
"extraordinarily rare -- that is to say, if you want a
gift to leave your children, give this one."

Now, the two books that M. Scott Peck is praising --
THE GIFT OF GIVING and THE PATH WITH HEART -- are
updated and combined in MAKE EACH DAY YOUR
MASTERPIECE.

I've read most of Michael Lynberg's work, and this is
by far his best. He has formatted it into short,
easy-to-read chapters -- perfect for our busy lives.
He has also packed it with moving stories and powerful
insights that are worth turning to again and again.

If you'd like to elevate your life and to "live
deeply," as Thoreau endeavored to do; and if you'd
like to discover and express the very best that's in
you, then don't miss this remarkable book!

I've had one of these beautiful calendars on my desk since 2000 and look forward to one each year. They make a nice gift too!

I bought this as a gift for my mother, an Elementary School Secretary, and she just loves it. She often uses the inspirational quotes in the daily bulletin for her school. Wonderful Optimism.

I got this one year and it made a huge difference in my life. I thought I outgrew it the next year and didn't get one. Then felt like a baby if I bought it again the following year. I tried to get mature challenging calenders. I finally treated myself to this again this year and I feel so much better already. It's a way to treat yourself well. Adds sweetness and kindness and simple pleasure to the daily grind. It helps make me a better person in my day. Get it, give it. It's a treat worthwhile.

This is the 5th year my desk has been graced with a Mary Englebreit calendar. The artwork and printed thoughts (sometimes very thought provoking) bring sunshine to the start of every day. I have purchased others throughout the years, but keep coming back to Mary's. I enjoy the smile it brings to my heart on a daily basis. Try it, you'll love it!

Last year I purchased 20 of these calendars for all my girl friends. Owning this calendar is akin to having a little bit of personal sunshine in your life, each and every day. Very positive, happy, cheerful stuff and strangely enough, personally relative, quite often. If you need a "bright spot" in your day, this is the calendar page to turn. I've had one of these calendars every year for so many I can't remember and have turned many others on to her--who subsequently become hooked. I can't imagine a year without ME's upbeat quips and uniquely happy artwork.

Great book for both the novice and well healed meditator. This book has introduced me to new ways and places to meditate. Whether to create calm before the day starts over a cup of coffee or peace before visiting the in laws. This book is well written, sucinct and practical in its guide to where and how to meditate. Its not about sitting for 6 hours and struggling to lose oneself. It is finding oneself in the flow of the every day. Bravo.

This book teaches that meditation is really no more than learning to slow down long enough to appreciate and enjoy your life. By pointing out various transitional moments throughout the average day that can benefit from increased awareness, Meditation 24/7 incorporates life-enhancing practices and techniques into real life. Reading the book was inspiring, and practicing just a little of what this book has to teach each day can be of tremendous benefit to anyone. I highly recommend this book.

This jewel of a book (with CD) guides the reader/listener through a series of processes that will open the doors to a vibrant inner life. Each chapter is a gift to be enjoyed over and over again~

As we face the reality of present day wars and the breeding of hatred and dividedness, we each need to restore wholeness to our fragmented inner lives and equip ourselves to bring about understanding, healing and reconciliation. I find that this book is applicable for people of various faiths, and as a Christian, their guidance is especially helpful to me in my practice of Scriptural meditation and movement. Having begun the journey with Camille and Lorin's 24/7, I am able to more effectively serve others who are coping with pain and walk alongside as they rediscover their joy.

I hope you will find this book applicable to your life and be blessed by it as well.

After my original purchase, I realized I would also want a copy to keep at the office and several for gifts, so my advice is to stock up!

The clear simple step-by-step instructions in the book for over a dozen meditations really demystify meditation. No mumbo jumbo here! The meditations themselves are not just relaxing, they are transformational. I start from where I am, often a rigid state of mind and move effortlessly through a range of emotions to the point where I am reminded to consciously set an intention about my next activity. These meditations are a great way to refocus and live in the moment.

The CD is so multifunctional! I mix and match meditations, such as using the "Move It" meditation while I get dressed or on my walk to work. When I need a longer meditation for lunch at work, I string together "Fill Your Cup," "Feast Your Senses" and "Mini Siesta." At night I might put together "Heartwarming and "Fall into Sleep."

Share the peace: This book/CD set is the perfect gift for friends who are into meditation, frustrated with meditation, or stressed out/depressed/anxious.

WOW!!! Beyond meditation, therapy, or self help, this book leads the way into experiencing the very richness of living and helps me to realize the creative choices each moment has. The book and CD have a range of meditations that respond to the ordinary in everyday life in powerful, yet simple ways with beautiful, original accompanying music. Lorin and Camille are wonderful companions as I follow their inspiring voices on the CD. Listening, I feel a sense of passion, aliveness, tenderness and adventure as I foray into the personal, creative, parts of my self these meditations encourage. This is easy. It's like I've stumbled on to some key secrets into myself ...with a little bit of help. The book is a great refresher (i leave mine in the car)... poetic and direct. I highly recommend CD & book for anyone who wants to feeeeel gooooood!

Yoon is a little girl who has moved to America from Korea. She feels very displaced and is unhappy with having to write her name in English. Korean writing is much more beautiful to her. This story illustrates how difficult it can be to move to another country and learn another language. It's hard and it often implies that a person must give up ways of living that the person holds dear. This story provides a smidgen of insight into this conflict.

This book is a great ice breaker for those first few days of school. The story is well written, and beautifully illustrated.
Young students can relate to the character, Yoon, on many levels.

In 2001 a book came out entitled, "The Name Jar" about a girl from Korea who had moved to America and wanted an Americanized name. Then, in 2003, "My Name Is Yoon" came out with practically the same plot. Normally, I have little sympathy for children's books that mimic their predecessors. In this case, however, there can be little doubt as to which book is the better of the two. "My Name Is Yoon", is a complex tale of imagination, flights of fancy, and gradual acceptance. By contrast, "The Name Jar" was simply okay. You can find ho-hum picture books lining the shelves of most libraries and bookstores around the globe. It is far rarer to find books quite as remarkable as the stunning, "Yoon".

Yoon isn't exactly thrilled to be in America. Wherever she looks, she sees that life is different in this strange new land. In Korea, where Yoon was born, her name meant Shining Wisdom. Despite her father's assurances that it means the same thing here, Yoon isn't so sure. And then there's the fact that when she writes her name using English characters, it's just a series of sticks and circles, whereas in Korean, "The symbols dance together". She's right. They do. Yoon carries her unhappiness to school where each day she learns a new word and makes that her name. One day it's cat. Another it's bird. Still another (and most amusingly) it's cupcake. In the end, Yoon learns to like her new country, supposing perhaps that maybe that being different can be good too. And in the end, she embraces her real name. "It still means Shining Wisdom".

I hate summarizing picture books where the plot, when written down, sounds so much hokier than it feels on the page. What I've just written sounds nice but bland. The book is anything but bland. Yoon's a distinct and remarkable character. With each new name she adopts, she becomes that object in her dreams. For example, when she becomes BIRD she wishes she could fly back to Korea once again. The book also skips what I've come to feel is the obligatory foreign-child-gets-teased sequence. The kind of thing you tend to find in books like, "Molly's Pilgrim". I was grateful for the oversight. "My Name Is Yoon" is tackling more important problems here. The acceptance of one's own self in a foreign environment, for example. Becoming your own name. Becoming your own self. What could be greater than this?

The pictures, for their part, don't hurt. Artist Gabi Swiatkowska is perhaps best known for this book and the title, "Silk Umbrellas" by Carolyn Marsden. "My Name Is Yoon" is good as a story, yes. But the Yoon we see here is a complex original human being. A one-of-a-kind gal. When her imagination soars it takes off like nothing else, aided by Swiatkowska's realistic images. I especially liked looking at the pictures of her in her home. Here, the black and white tiles of the floor bend and twist in strangely surreal patterns. I'll be honest with you, though. The book could've been awful and I still would have loved it just so long as it continued to contain the picture of Yoon floating through her classroom window as a delicious fluffy cupcake.

Realism is what grounds "My Name Is Yoon". Surrealism sets it apart from the rabble. If you're stocking your personal library with only the most essential picture books out there, you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to include this truly delightful title.

This is a wonderful story about a young Korean girl who has moved to America with her family. At school when she write her name Yoon in English for the first time, she decides that she likes her Korean characters more than the English version because, "My name looks happy in Korean. The symbols dance together."

She decides that she would like to go back to Korea because everything is different in America. Every day at school, her nice teacher asks her to write her name on a paper, and Yoon instead writes a different word that she has recently learned. The beautiful illustrations go along with these words, showing Yoon as a bird, cat, and cupcake. In the end Yoon realizes that perhaps America will be a good home, and that, "maybe different is good."

A great story for children to read, to aid in understanding and acceptance.

Immigrant kids recognize that hesitation during roll call when a new teacher gets to their name. I used to dread it, but the experience depended on how a grownup handled these encounters with the unfamiliar. If only all teachers (and immigrant parents) were as wise as the ones in this book! Recorvits' poetic, spare text and Swiatkowska's imaginative paintings explore one aspect of feeling "foreign" -- an immigrant child's name. In a new language and a new alphabet, Yoon's beautiful Korean name seems foreign even to herself. Are you still "Yoon" when people outside the family pronounce your name differently? When they don't know that it means "shining wisdom?" For a child to feel at home in a new country, she needs a loving circle of teachers, parents, and classmates, as well as a good measure of her own courage. Reading My Name is Yoon might compensate somewhat if any of those crucial ingredients are missing.