Customer Reviews

Jin Woo

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Jin Woo" is a children's book by Eve Bunting, with illustrations by Chris Soentpiet. The book tells the story of David, a young adoptee whose family is preparing to adopt a second child: a Korean baby boy named Jin Woo.

Like many children expecting a new child into the family, David has some concerns. But his parents assure him that the love they share with the new baby will not diminish the love they have for him. And David bonds with his new brother, ensuring the unity of the newly enlarged family.

This is a good story with educational value. The author brings up some interesting aspects of cross-cultural/international adoption. The easy-to-read text is well complemented by Soentpiet's colorful, realistic illustrations. I recommend "Jin Woo" for both home and classroom.

My two grandchildren are adopted from Korea. This book was recommended by a teacher at my granddaughter's school. In fact, the book was quite like real life when the second child came. It's beautifully written and my grandchildren seem to love it that there is a book telling their story!

David is the only son (adopted himself) in his family, until Mom and Dad start talking about adopting a baby from Korea. He's not sure how to feel about it, even though he told his parents he was "okay." He watches as his parents prepare for his new brother's arrival with a beautiful nursery and a special dinner before going to the airport to wait for Jin Woo. The escort encourages the parents not to forget Jin Woo's cultural heritage as he grows up. The story concludes with David reading a letter "from Jin Woo" and a discussion with his parents about how their love for him will not decrease, even though there is another son in their lives.

Let me say the illustrations in this book are gorgeous! You see realistic emotions on each face, from anticipation to uncertainty. Maybe this set of parents are a-typical for what Americans are like, but I sure wish I had a loving, nurturing set like them. I like how the father is there, being supportive and loving every step of the way.

As a family with a child who was adopted from Guatemala, we always look for adoptive family stories. We knew this would be good because Eve Bunting is already one of our favorites. But this lovely book exceeded our expectations. The words were beautiful and the pictures were so wonderful. As we were reading it, all the adults were teary eyed. The next day, we reread it and our little 8 year old was as interested as the day before, and her Godfather, an artist himself ,was amazed at how the pictures show the detail and the emotion in the family so beautifully and so clearly. We recommend it wholeheartedly.

My family loved this book. My 2 1/2 year old son read this while holding a picture of his "sister-to-be". The story introduces very real feelings that older siblings have about bringing a new child into the family and tells about a child who worked through those issues. The illustration is incredible. I would reccommend this to any family awaiting a child from Korea or anywhere else.

Eve Bunting, the popular children's author has written this book about a boy named David's feelings when his new brother, Jin Woo, arrives from Korea. David, who is Caucasian like his parents, wonders if there was as much anticipation and fanfare when he was adopted. He deals with mixed feelings as his parents get the phone call and they all drive to the airport to pick up Jin Woo. He thinks he's happy about the new arrival, but he's unsure about what changes the baby will bring, and if his parents will have still have enough time & love for him. (When his mother says "I can't wait for the baby to arrive," David thinks, "I can wait. I could wait longer.")

When Jin Woo arrives (about six months old, I'd say), David gets to hold him, and when he plays "this little piggy" with his little brother, he is the recipient of Jin Woo's first laugh.

When they arrive home, his mother hands him a letter which she says is from Jin Woo. "...I'm glad that I have you to help me. Mom and Dad told me how much they love you. And how much they will love me. They say they have so much love inside of them that what they give to me won't take any away from you." David is reassured and feels happy. The ending illustration is a lovely family picture of the four of them.

The illustrator, Chris Sontpiet (a Korean adoptee himself) has pictured the tale in brightly-lit watercolors and animated expressions that lend a bit of a hyper-real aura to the illustrations. The emotions are nicely accentuated and David's contrasting feelings are well-portrayed.

this book is actually based on me hehe im writing from my mothers profile at a little under 13 you did a great job eve bunting. truth betold my parents are a lot diff4erent and i have no older brother, but still anything for the media! ha -Jin woo Kim ps. this is a great book at least im a superstar here!

Jin Woo tells an adoption story from the perspective of older brother David, also adopted. Bunting writes with perceptive tenderness about his anxieties as his parents prepare to welcome a new baby home. Their joyful anticipation seems to overshadow his own desires, as he deals with mixed feelings of obligation, selfishness, and insecurity at the coming of this new baby. But his parents allay his fears by presenting him with a letter they have written for the new child to his big brother, reassuring him that he will gain a brother without losing his parents' love. Through their example, reassurance and gentle leadership, he begins to accept the new child.

The book is beautifully joy-filled, and the joy of this adoption is reflected on the faces of onlookers who celebrate with the parents as they welcome their new child home. The story's main strength is Soentpiet's poignantly beautiful watercolors. Himself a Korean adoptee, his paintings undoubtedly pay tribute to his own adoptive family, and the chubby baby on the opening page could well be himself.

There are many picture books about adoption that emphasize adoptive parents' and adopted children's perspective, and far more that deal with older children's fears at the arrival of biological siblings, but not many that describe the experience of adoptive siblings. This is an excellent choice for any family, but may be especially helpful for young children whose families are preparing for adoption.

My son loves this book's illustrations, and Soentpiet is one of my favorite artists as well. It's a little long on words, but it really gets you in touch with the emotions of kids involved in adoption as a bystandard instead of just one-on-one with the parents and baby. My son would not part with this book on his life!

I liked the book called Jin Woo . The book was about when this Korean baby is adopted by a family. Their was a boy in that family. He was so anxious to play with the baby. The pictures were very colorful. The story had details for the pictures. It looked like there was a lot of effort. I vote for this book 100% Because it's so great.