Dear Juno Library Book Grade K: Harcourt School Publishers Trophies (Trophies 03) [Paperback]

Hsp (Corporate Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002 | Series: Trophies 03

A picture book that teaches that there is more than one way to get something done!

When Juno's parents are too busy to read him a letter from his grandmother in Korea, Juno decides he can't wait for them to help, and opens the letter himself. No, he cannot read the Korean words, but there's more in the envelope than just the letter. Grandmother has sent along a few things--a dried flower and a photograph of herself with her cat. These little things tell Juno a lot: Grandmother has a new cat and she's planting a flower garden. Now Juno wants to write back--without help from mom and dad--but Grandmother can't read English. Juno knows just want to do.

With its warm and elegant illustrations, Dear Juno is a picture book that crosses cultures and generations while encouraging children to find their own solutions.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This debut book from a talented pair tells a simple but moving story about communicating across distances that are not just geographical but linguistic. Juno can't read a letter sent by his Korean grandmother, but he deduces what she is trying to say from her enclosures: a photo of a cat and a dried flower. He sends her a reply: instead of writing in English, he mails her the biggest leaf from the "swinging tree" in his yard and some drawings, including one of him watching an airplane and hoping his grandmother will come to visit. When Juno receives his grandmother's return letter, he finds a box of colored pencils to encourage more "letters" and a toy airplane that lets him know she will soon arrive. Pak's story is economically told and sensitively focused through Juno's eyes. The tight construction is beautifully complemented by Hartung's blotted oil paint glazes in compositions that are both well designed and touching. Children not yet ready to read on their own (and their far-off grandparents) will find this book especially useful. Ages 3-7. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-This warm, simple, yet richly woven story informs readers that even in this electronic age there is nothing like mail received from afar to tie together family and friends. Juno receives a letter that he knows by the envelope and stamp is from his grandmother just outside Seoul. He has to wait for his parents to read it to him, since it is in Korean, but from his grandmother's other enclosures-a photograph and a pressed flower-he has already figured out that she has a new cat and red-and-yellow flowers in her garden. He sends her a picture letter back and in turn is treated to a big envelope with items he can "read" and, perhaps most importantly, colored pencils, which means she expects more picture "letters" from him. The handsome layout, featuring ample white space and illustrations that cover anywhere from one page to an entire spread, perfectly suit the gentle, understated tone of the text. The realistic pictures, created by using oil-paint glazes on sealed paper, have a delightfully cozy feeling, making this a good choice for snuggling up and reading one-on-one.
Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt School Publishers (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0153265280
• ISBN-13: 978-0153265280
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,130,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Earthy story of separation, communication and love., November 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Juno (Hardcover)

Drawings of my budding 4-year-old artist took on different dimensions after this book. Juno's separation from his Korean Grandmother required communication with his pictures and leaves. It translated into pebbles and bicycles for my daughter. The touching part is that love can travel within the confines of an envelope. ILLUSTRATONS were the ICING on the cake! Job well done. I buy the book as gifts.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem, July 28, 2000

By 

joanna (NY, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear Juno (Hardcover)

As an elementary school teacher I'm always looking for books that are eloquently written and visually stunning. I'm happy to report that Dear Juno serves up both. This is an incredible book by an extraordinary author. It's the perfect book to read-aloud as well as to curl up with before going to bed. I can't wait to read more of Ms. Pak's work.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, February 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Juno (Hardcover)

In this lovely book, a story about communication across geographic, cultural and generational distances is distilled into a few sparkling pages. The simple, charming language is inviting for children, but it carries the force of poetry, so adults will enjoy it too. I adored it.