This guide was adopted by the North Carolina Children’s Book Award Committee

Theme: The children’s book, Jin Woo, can be used to introduce your students to the Korean-American culture, adoption and sibling rivalry.

Pre-reading: Show the students the cover of the book and read its title as well as the names of its author and illustrator. Ask the class what they think the book will be about. Next, show the illustration of the kitchen scene with David looking unhappy – now ask students what they think the book will be about. Have everyone locate Korea on a globe or world map.

Reading: As you read, have students look closely at the illustrations. What details can they find in the pictures? Have them study the expressions on the faces of the characters. How do their expressions change throughout the story. Ask the students how they think the characters are feeling. Can they tell by the illustrations?

Interview: Talk with a Korean-American or someone who was adopted. Or speak with a parent, a grandparent or a friend who knows someone who was adopted. Write their story.

Language Arts/Communication Skills: Have students imagine that David is a little older and able to write and express his thoughts. Have them create some journal or diary entries as if they were expressing his feelings before the baby comes. What would he write down during his time at the airport. What would he write after a few years?

Social Studies/Community Involvement: November is National Adoption Month. Plan story telling time focused on books related to adoption. I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose Lewis is another good book about adoption. Invite speakers from your community (parents, students, faculty members, community agencies) to speak about the adoption process. Visit https://adoptionnetwork.com/national-adoption-month for further information on National Adoption Month.

Locate Korea on a globe or map. Discuss ways to travel to and from Korea. What would you bring on a trip to Korea? Calculate how many miles the baby traveled to come to the USA.
Research Korean customs as mentioned in the story. Share orally.

Music/Art:

1. Listen to traditional Korean music.
2. Compare the styles of illustration of Chris Soentpiet and Norman Rockwell.
3. Korean traditional dress like the honbok is worn when a baby turns one year old. Have students make a life-size tracing of a honbok. Now have the students color it with crayons, watercolors, acrylic or decorate their honbok with scraps of paper, fabric, yarn, and other craft items.

Science: In the book, the family dines at a Korean restaurant. What type of Korean food would the family require to meet the food pyramid requirement? Hint: Use the internet to find a Korean restaurant menu or visit a Korean restaurant.

Where does Korean food come from and how is it grown? What is a rice paddy? Try growing plants in a variety of ways and keep a journal of their growth.

Social Studies: Jin Woo immigrated to the United States to be with his new family. Talk about immigration with the class. Are there any immigrants in the class? Are there any students with immigrant parent or grandparents? List all the countries of each student’s ancestry for your class. Are students surprised how many countries are listed. Locate them all on a world map.

Make a guidebook to Korea – cover topics like cities, geographical features, customs, traditions, folklore, early history, food, games, and traditional dress like the honbok.

Literature: Read another book about Korea, adoption or sibling rivalry. Suggested reading: Peacebound Trains by Haemi Balgassi, Good as Goldie by Margie Palatini, I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose A. Lewis, Over the Moon by Karen Katz, “A” is for Adopted by Eileen Tucker Cosby. Look for other books by Eve Bunting and Chris Soentpiet.

Bulletin Board: David generously gave away the precious ducks he loved to Jin Woo. Bring a baby mobile or some rubber ducks to symbolize David’s kind gesture. Ask each student, what personal items they would give away if their family was expecting a new baby. List them on the bulletin board.

If you enjoyed reading Jin Woo write a review about the book and post it on Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com so others can enjoy your reading experience.

 

About the Author, Eve Bunting

 

Eve Bunting has received many awards, including the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in 1976 for One More Flight (Warne). In 1995, the Caldecott Medal was presented to David Diaz for his illustrations for her book, Smoky Night (Harcourt). She has also taught several writing classes, including one at the University of California, Los Angeles. She lives with her husband in Pasadena, California.