The Name Jar: An Enchanting Story To Inspire Children's Imagination And Self-Confidence

The Name Jar is an incredibly charming story by Yangsook Choi that teaches children the importance of accepting and embracing their name. It follows the journey of Unhei, a young girl who has just moved to America from Korea and is embarrassed by her name. She puts all of the potential American names she can think of into a jar and decides she will choose one when it feels right.

This book is not only educational but also beautiful, with bright illustrations and a heartwarming message. It tackles themes such as identity and belonging in a way that is accessible to younger readers. With its unique take on self-acceptance, The Name Jar is sure to become a classic for generations to come.

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The Name Jar Review

The Name Jar, written by Yangsook Choi, is an adorable children’s book that follows the story of Unhei, a young girl who moves to America and has difficulty adjusting to her new home. From struggling with homesickness to making friends, Unhei learns to embrace her Korean name and all that it has to offer. This book is perfect for teaching kids about diversity, self-acceptance and finding common ground in different cultures.

Key Features:

A tender and humorous story about embracing one’s own identity

Illustrated with vibrant watercolor paintings

Teaches children about diversity and self-acceptance

Provides an excellent opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss cultural differences

This charming story will capture your heart from start to finish! The illustrations are simply beautiful, full of color and life that bring Unhei’s journey to life. Not only is this a wonderful read for kids, but it also provides a great chance for parents and teachers alike to discuss cultural differences and how we can learn from them. The message of self-acceptance is one that every child should learn, and “The Name Jar” does it in the most delightful way.

Product Details

Product Name	The Name Jar
Author	Yangsook Choi
Publisher	Yearling
Publication Date	August 7, 2001
Number of Pages	32 pages
Dimensions	9.8 x 0.3 x 11 inches
ISBN-10/ISBN-13	0440417996 / 9780440417992
Binding Type	Paperback
Age Range Recommendation	4 – 8 years

The Name Jar Pros and Cons

1. Pros:

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi is an award-winning, heartwarming story that tackles the issue of identity with sensitivity and wit.

It provides children from diverse backgrounds a chance to explore the feelings associated with adjusting to a new name and culture.

It’s also great for introducing young readers to different cultures as it features characters from various ethnic backgrounds.

2. Cons:

The overall message of the book can be a bit heavy-handed at times.

The illustrations are not as detailed or colorful as some other picture books, so it may not appeal to some younger readers.

The length might be too short for older readers who prefer longer stories.

Who are They for

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi is a beautifully illustrated and heartwarming children’s book about the importance of acceptance and embracing one’s cultural identity. The story follows Unhei, a young girl who has just moved to America from Korea. Due to her difficulty in pronouncing her name, she decides to put all of the possible names into a jar and let her new classmates pick one for her. In this way, Unhei hopes to fit in with her peers and make friends. With the help of her new friends, Unhei learns that there is no need to change who she is and that she should be proud of her culture.

This book provides an important lesson in multiculturalism and encourages readers to accept others regardless of their background or language. It promotes self-confidence and teaches that it is okay to be different. The Name Jar can also help young readers understand the challenges faced by immigrants who come to the US in search of better lives for themselves and their families. By reading this book, readers will gain insight into the struggles of adapting to a new culture as well as learn a valuable lesson about appreciating diversity.

My Experience for The Name Jar

When I first heard of the Name Jar, I was so intrigued! It’s a book by Yangsook Choi that takes you on an incredible journey with Unhei, a young Korean girl who has just moved to America. She doesn’t like her new name and is embarrassed to introduce herself to her classmates. That changes when she finds an old jar with a mysterious label: “Name Jar.”

Unhei discovers that her classmates can help her find the perfect name by filling the jar with their ideas. She learns that there are lots of different names to choose from, from traditional Korean names to more modern American ones. With each suggestion, she learns a little bit more about herself and her new home.

As I read through The Name Jar, I couldn’t help but think about my own experiences. It reminded me of how it felt when I first moved to a new place and had no idea what name to give myself. I loved how Unhei’s journey showed me that there’s no single “right” answer – everyone can create their own unique name that best suits them.

The Name Jar made me laugh out loud, cry happy tears, and feel inspired. It’s a wonderfully written story full of heart and humor that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. Whether you’re looking for an inspiring tale or just a fun read, The Name Jar is sure to be a hit!

What I don’t Like

1. The Name Jar is too short – The story ends abruptly and does not develop a strong resolution.

2. Lack of diversity – There are no characters of color in the book, making it difficult for readers to relate to its message of acceptance and embracing one’s identity.

3. The story lacks depth – With only 40 pages, there isn’t much room for character development or exploration of deeper themes.

4. Dialogue is choppy – The dialogue between Unhei and her classmates often feels stilted and unnatural.

5. Too simplistic – Many readers may find the moral of the story too obvious and straightforward.

How to Name a Newcomer with The Name Jar

Naming someone is an exciting moment when you meet a new friend or family member. With The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi, it’s easy to find just the right name for the newcomer! The story follows Unhei, an immigrant from Korea who arrives in America with no English name. Her classmates help her brainstorm names and eventually come up with one that she loves.

To follow Unhei’s example, start by having your new friend or family member write down some of their favorite words in any language. Once they have a few words to choose from, get creative and explore different ways to combine them into a unique name. If you still need more ideas, The Name Jar provides lots of helpful suggestions for finding meaningful names that honor cultural heritage and provide inspiration.

Once you’ve settled on the perfect name, share the story of how it was chosen with the person who now owns it. Knowing the history behind their name will give them a sense of pride and connection to their identity. With The Name Jar, finding a special name has never been easier!

Questions about The Name Jar

What is The Name Jar?

The Name Jar is a children’s book written by Yangsook Choi that tells the story of a young girl who moves to the United States and must decide on an American name. The book explores themes of identity, home, acceptance, and belonging.

Who Should Read The Name Jar?

The Name Jar is a great read for children ages 4-8. It’s an excellent introduction to conversations about identity and culture. Teachers, librarians, and parents can use this book as an opportunity to explore different cultures with their students or children.

What Can I Learn From The Name Jar?

The Name Jar offers readers an opportunity to gain empathy and understanding of different cultures. In addition, readers will learn how to embrace differences, celebrate individuality, and find strength in embracing both one’s old and new identities.

Where Can I Buy The Name Jar?

The Name Jar is available for purchase on Amazon. You can also find the book at your local library or bookstore.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.