And as a result I did not check out the book and will not share it with my students - who include children struggling with this exact challenge. But in the end, Yoon's parents still don't see themselves as a 'Christmas family' and what rifts might this cause between parents and child as they continue their life in the United States? To me, the text was an example of the generational conflict so common among immigrant families and it was emotionally difficult for me to read.

Yoon got to use her 'Christmas mitten' as a stocking, Santa Claus came (which felt like a move of desperation on the part of her parents to bring their daughter comfort in a foreign and challenging context), and Yoon was overjoyed. There was such potential in Yoon and the Christmas Mitten to validate the statement of Yoon’s mother – that “We are not a Christmas family” – and to show the ways that their family does celebrate – through their rich New Year’s traditions. I wanted a story that gave strength to those struggling to feel that they belong in a context where they are not the norm while also teaching those who are in the majority (in this case, those who celebrate Christmas) to have an awareness that not everyone celebrates as they do and that part of being a welcoming community member is honoring the experiences of others. A story like that would be a great tool to help reinforce with children the diverse range of experiences and traditions so common in our contemporary society. I had expected that at the end of the story, with the support of her parents and maybe even her school community, that Yoon would develop a new sense of understanding and pride for the cultural traditions she brought with her from Korea and an internal strength to have that pride amidst a community that celebrates different traditions. I absolutely understand Yoon’s desire to fit into ‘normal’ life in her new home in the United States and the ways that her desire could result in conflict – with her parents and with the cultural norms around her. I really felt like the story was pushing an assimilationist ideal.

But after reading the book (while standing in the library stacks) I was disappointed. I was excited when I picked up Yoon and the Christmas Mitten, having read My Name Is Yoon before.

I happened upon this book while I was in the library looking for more books to share with my students that would broaden their understanding of wintertime celebrations by introducing them to a wider range of perspectives and experiences.

My name is yoon by helen recorvits