Kim Vlog #3: Non-Fiction: Amazing DNA

Book Information
Title: Amazing DNA
Author: Rebecca L. Johnson
Illustrator: Jack Desrocher
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publication: 2008

Sister & Brothers

Who Has These Feet?

Winter by Ron Hirschi

Winter by Ron Hirschi, color photographs by Thomas D. Mangelsen

This is a nonfiction book about animals in winter. All of the pictures are real photos taken. It's written very simply for young readers to learn generally what happens in the winter. It begins by talking about what children do outside to play (make a snowman). Then it talks about birds, wolves, rabbits, owls, bears, deer, etc. Each page is dedicated to one or two animals with a brief sentence about what they do in winter. At the end, there is an afterword from the author with a more detailed description of things that happen in winter.

This would be a good book for any child, but specifically children that grow up in areas that don't have snow. Since all of the pictures are real photos, it would be good for them to see what things actually look like. Maybe they would not be familiar with the animals mentioned and this book gives a broad overview of what they do when there is a lot of snow on the ground in winter.

Miyuki's Vlog: Nonfiction “Guess Who’s in the Sand”

                                      

https://youtu.be/jvqMOoMzLKQ

Biography: Alexander Graham Bell: Setting the Tone for Communication

For my biography picture book I chose Alexander Graham Bell: Setting the Tone for Communication by Mike Venezia. This is a very neutral biographical depiction of the life and inventions of a controversial historical figure within the Deaf community.

I chose this book because of how well-known A.G. Bell is. In the Hearing community the first thing people will think about is the spectacular invention of the telephone. In the Deaf community you will begin a debate about the oralization of the deaf and the culture of disability in which deaf people need to be fixed. However, what is great about his book is how neutral and mater of fact the biography of this historical figure is. The author started working on this series for Scholastic in an effort to make the impact of scientists and their inventions known to a younger generation.

Bell is not depicted as someone trying to fix the deaf and his political perspectives are never mentioned. Even though he is most well known for his intention of the telephone, I learned about his other inventions and ideas from this book, such as the metal detector. I especially appreciated the depiction of Bell as an idea man, but how he struggled with the application of those ideas. There really is an overall message of teamwork. Without the skilled engineers and electricians he worked with the Bell's telephone may never have come into being.

Since A.G. Bell is such a controversial figure in the Deaf community this book would be a good source for a positive representation of his character. It could be compared and contrasted with other resources to discuss how and why he has been depicted in varying ways.

Historical Fiction: Dandelions

For my historical fiction book I chose Dandelions by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Greg Shed. This book depicts the journey taken by a family in the 1800's that moves from Illinois to start a new life in the Nebraska Territory.

Even though this is a picture book, I would recommend it for older readers, such as 4th-8th grade. This is because it is quite wordy and a lot of the undertones of the story would be missed by younger readers. the illustrator does a fantastic job of depicted just how expansive the Nebraska Territory is with bleak paintings of fields of dry grass that seem to go on forever. Before reading this book I had not thought much about the trials new settlers faced in the expanding western territories of the U.S. To read about the characters traveling for days on end and never seeing animals, water, or other humans was mind-boggling. I could not imagine being three hours from my closest neighbors or having to dig a well to get to water.

The physical challenges are just the beginning of the experience for these new settlers. The mental toll of this new lifestyle is briefly eluded to in the young girl's recognition of how her mother seems to be struggling with this new place. She is worried for her mom and wants to figure out ways to make things easier on her. This book would be a great starting point for having a discussion on the emotional impact of immigration. It would be cool to have students put themselves mentally in the position of the characters and think critically how they would cope. You could have students write from the perspective of the settlers. This would be an awesome way to incorporate writing and history into a single activity.

Kim - Blog #3 - Alexander the Great

This short biography tells the ambitious, courageous and charismatic leader - Alexander the Great, described as "the greatest ruler of the ancient world". Alexander was born in 356 BC, growing up under great King Phillip and strong Queen Olympias. Throughout his childhood, he was not only brave, but all-around in his learning experience. At age of 16, he tasted the first war, and was crowned as a king at age of 20. Through his regime, he was able to conquer several lands and was able to create his kingdom be most feared one. Unfortunately, Alexander the Great fell ill, and dead at age of 32 at 323 BC.

This book is mixture of chronicle and episodic of Alexander's life - while the book lists and explains the life that Alexander had - the author puts focus more on his military feats and tactics in most of his battles. At the end, important dates of Alexander the Great's life, and index of the keywords are included.

This book teaches children not only to be courageous, but be good at school as author mentioned that Alexander the Great excelled at everything he did. Often boys would dream of being a legendary leader that the history would remember - they would be able to follow the steps that Alexander the Great made. However the military tactics and strategies may not be same as back then! As the author concludes the book with this quote - "He also changed the world. By his conquests, he brought East and West together for the very first time." Not only due to his impressive feats, but his contributions are something we should not forget, as well. 

Papa is a Poet: A Story About Robert Frost

I Dream of Trains by Angela Johnson

I Dream of Trains by Angela Johnson

https://youtu.be/Pj9qKHtjnE4

Gerschwin's Rhapsody in Blue by Anna Harwell Celenza - Biography

Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue by Anna Harwell Celenza


http://youtu.be/RP9NkcnPmzs

Abraham Lincoln

Miyuki's Vlog: Biography “Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller”

                                         
                                                  https://youtu.be/yHm5BJWb10Q

                                         

Me...Jane

Jane Goodall

Courageous, Dreamer

Loved, Mothered, Preserved 

She lived her dream.

She's the Jane of the Apes

Me...Jane tells the inspiring story of Jane Goodall, who is a scientist and an anthropologist. She followed her dreams to study animals in Africa. The story starts with her as a child that always carries her first monkey stuffed animal, which named Jujube. It explains all the details that inspired her to go to Africa.

The book won the 2012 Caldecott Honor. The illustrations of Goodall’s childhood and real drawings are included. They bring the story to life. In the last page, a personal message from Goodall is inserted. Also, biographical information is added.

I recall hearing about Jane Goodall and how inspiring she was to many children. She had guts to go to Africa to chase after her dream. She taught us including children to go after our dream as well.
Through the book, big dreams can be discussed with students. Or how Jane dreamt of the life in Africa. How she was inspired to live the life she always have had dreamed? This can be a part of self-knowledge and love. She taught herself to live the life that she always wished for. Children can do the same thing as long they recognize their dreams and they are possible. 

Ox-Cart Man

Here is the link in case the video does not play

http://youtu.be/_ImV8esCUUc

Kim Vlog #2: Historic Fiction: Henry's Freedom Box

Book Information
Title: Henry's Freedom Box
Author: Ellen Levine
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Genre: Historic Fiction
Publication: 2002

The Keeping Quilt

The Other Side

Miyuki's Vlog: Historical Fiction “Back of the Bus”

"Those Shoes" by Maribeth Boelts

This book is about a single mother who has a son. He wants the cool new brand name shoes that everyone at school has but his mom tells him she can't afford anything he doesn't NEED. One day, when he's at school, his old tennis shoes break and the school gym teacher gives him old, child-like shoes that he is embarrassed of. His mom takes him to store because she has a little bit of money saved up and wants to see how much those shoes are. Turns out they are too expensive, so they go thrift store hopping to see if they're lucky. They find a pair that is too small. Eventually, he gives those shoes to another little boy in need in his class with smaller feet.

This book is realistic fiction because it is a story that could very well be real. Many families go through situations like this and regardless, kids will always want to "be cool" like everyone else around them in school.

I like this book because it's something I can relate to. There's also a sense of doing what's right and wrong in the book. It's something that probably many of us can relate to, trying to do something good for other people to be nice. I can see many different lesson plan ideas coming out of this.

Elizabeth Jane Gets Dressed

For realistic fiction, I chose Elizabeth Jane Gets Dressed by Anne Tyrrell, illustrated by Caroline Castle. Published in 1990, this book is geared toward younger audiences, starting at three years old.

The story follows a young girl named Elizabeth Jane and her process of getting dressed. The story spans throughout the course of a week, and every day shows a different stage of her process. Elizabeth Jane starts the book naked, and does not want to get dressed. In her room, clothes are all around her, along with her stuffed animals, who are also naked. Day by day, Elizabeth Jane makes progress along with her stuffed animals. Finally, the last day, Elizabeth Jane dressed herself. The book includes the physical limitations of young children dressing themselves, like zipping, buttoning, and tying shoes, as well as the lack of motivation.

Throughout the book, Tyrrell uses rhymes to engage children in Elizabeth Jane's process. Castle's illustrations are light and fun, accurately portraying the struggles of toddlers getting dressed. As seen on the cover, Elizabeth Jane, along with her stuffed animal is finally dressed (and proud of herself!). However, she is wearing two different shoes, an undershirt over her dress, with a regular shirt underneath. Her stuffed animal is wearing the same thing.

In my preschool classroom, I would use this book to empower students to be responsible and proud of dressing themselves. This book also teaches that it is okay to ask for help if needed.

Miyuki: Realistic fiction “My Brother Charlie ”

I chose the book named “My Brother Charlie ” by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, and pictures by Shane W.Evans.

Charlie and Callie are twins so they prefer the same things, but Callie noticed that her brother behaves different from her, such as she is a girl, looks at the moon, wants to play, always says I love you and can kiss her mother, and he hates math and playing, and cannot tell I love you or to give a kiss to his mother. He was identified as autistic, and Callie starts to understand and allies for her brother because she learned from him that he is really smart.

The genre is realistic fiction. This book’s theme is family’s relationship related to autism and understanding about someone with autism. This book is good quality because children can understand about disabilities such as autism. In addition, this book shows how a family solves their issue by bringing Charlie to the doctor, and in this book there are vivid and realistic images to help keep the story interesting and teach children about autism.

This book really lets me remember my old classmates in Japan, so I unpack my mind about them. It helps us to think about people and not see them as stereotypes.

In my classroom, I will ask students if they have the same experience with disabilities such as someone with autism. In addition, I will let students explore how to understand about autism or other disabilities, then discuss how to help friends or family with autism. After their discussion, children will develop their own awareness about autism. Lastly, students will discuss about their culture or tradition’s view of disabilities and what they found. It is important that children will develop and think over about family and friends with disabilities.

I noticed that this author wants to expose issues of social injustice because this book shows Callie do not like her brother because of his more odd behavior than her. It will teach students to not act mean to students with disabilities. This book will teach students respect for others because people should respect each other even when they have disabilities or abilities, and to not bully and hurt. In addition, the book emphasizes self-love and knowledge because in this book Callie noticed that her brother behaves in different ways on one day from another and is identified as autistic and she accepts him for having autism too. It will teach students about autism and that it is natural behavior and not strange.

Ages 4-7

Realistic Fiction: Just Kidding

Fantasy- Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are is a children's picture book that is both written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. The book was published in 1963 and it also won the Caldecott Honor award for its illustration in 1964.

Where the Wild Things Are is a short fiction picture book with only 338 words that tells a story about a young boy named Max who is known to his mother as Wild Thing because he's always in his wolf pajamas costume. The story begins with Max causing chaos at home that he was sent to his bedroom without any supper. There in his bedroom it has transformed into a jungle environment and found himself sailing to a jungle island inhabited by huge hostile beasts known as the Wild Things. On that island, Max went through a variety of adventurous tasks to intimidate the beasts in order to become the kind of the Wild Things. When he became king, he and the Wild Things enjoys wrecking and causing havoc on the island. Max then decided that it was time for him to go home so he left the island with the Wild Things missing him and found his supper waiting for him.

I chose this book because it is a classic fiction/fantasy picture book. Every child should have at least read this book at some point in their lives. This book is one of the best books that portrays imagination that all children and adult can enjoy. The six elements of social justice can be found within this book. It portrays self-love and knowledge. Max wrecks havoc and his mom punishes him by sending to his bedroom without supper. Because of this, Max creates an imaginary place where he could do whatever he wants without getting into trouble. But after spending time with the Wild Things, he came to realize that it was time to go home where he has everything. Sure enough, when he got home his supper was hot and ready. I viewed this as an act of self-love and knowledge.

Kim Vlog #1: Realistic Fiction: I Don't Want To Talk About It

Book Information
Title: I Don't Want To Talk About It
Author: Jeanie Franz Ransom
Illustrator: Kathryn Kunz Finney
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publication: 2000

Realistic Fiction: The Pirate of Kindergarten

Molly and Her Dad

“Molly and her Dad” by Jan Ormerod & illustrated by Carol Thompson (2008)

The book is about the little girl who hasn’t seen her dad in a long time, not since she was a baby. Molly was curious about what he was like and yet, she loved telling stories about her dad. At school, the other classmates’ dad paid a visit except for hers. Molly wondered about her dad and what he was like. Her mom went away for a week and her dad was able to take care of her for that particular entire week. During that week, Molly learned many things about her dad.

The themes could be family, relationships, school, and self-identity. The story is filled with warmth and humor. There is a lot to take in all the illustrations including bubbles that has dialogues/comments. It was nice to look at details to get the full information. The story is completed well by nice illustrations of Molly and her father.

I could follow Molly’s feelings throughout the pages well. Since my father living in the different country, he didn’t have an active part in my life as well. Every time, my dad came home on his vacation, I was always excited to spend time with him. This was what happened with Molly. This could be the reason why I was attracted to this story. She was excitedly nervous to learn about dad. 

The story is moving because it demonstrates well what it is like for a child who is different from others. I could see that Molly desperately tries to fit in with the other children who have fathers in their life. Additionally, this story can be used to explain why some children don’t have fathers at home.

This book can be used in the classroom. Through self-love and knowledge, students can learn and study different aspects of their life identity. Negative stereotypes about a child having fatherless figure can be deconstructed. Then students who have father and students who don’t have father can share their experience and knowledge with their classmates. This can create a safe and respectful environment, where classmates learn to respect for others. Teachers can also utilize this story to introduce the issues of social justice. Students learn about how the forms of oppressions can harm or hurt the group of children who doesn’t have dads at home.  

Kim Blog #2: Fantasy: Julia's House for Lost Creatures

Book Information:
Author: Ben Hatke
Published: 2014
Genre: Fantasy

Summary:
Julia settled by the sea, and realizing that all the house was quiet, she decided to convert her house as Julia's House for Lost Creatures. Soon enough, several creatures came, seeking place to stay in her place, and soon Julia's house was filling up with lost and homeless creatures of every description. It became chaos, and they were uncontrollable, to the point where Julia couldn't take it any more. Julia retreated to her room, and took some time by herself in that room. When she came out, she had a new sign - she delegated jobs to every creatures in the house. Now every one was effective and kept the house in order. When the house became quiet, she heard water dripping out somewhere in her house. She put up a new sign - seeking for help - and not too long later, someone who seemed to be qualified for plumbing job and the problem was solved.

6 Elements of Social Justice:
This story encourages compassion - and at same time, regulations. Julia opened her house to lost and wandering creatures because the house seemed big - and quiet - and realizing that not every creatures has house, so she opens her place for ones that lacks house (Respect for Others). Although, she realizes importance of regulations and delegation of roles and jobs for everyone in the house, which allows every one to realize importance of working together in order to make it effective (Awareness Raising, Social Action). This story would be great to promote the social justice by emphasizing the benefits of respecting and working well with others.

Modern Fantasy: April and Esme: Tooth Fairies

Bats on Parade by Kathi Appelt

Not sure why the video isn't working since I uploaded to YouTube. Here is the link:

https://youtu.be/Fy9FZvaefy0

Flotsam by David Wienser

The Day the Crayons Quit

This modern fantasy is about a box a crayons that goes on strike. The story starts when Duncan wants to color and tries to find his crayons. Instead, he finds a stack of letters that each crayon wrote him explaining what it is feeling and why it is going on strike. Each page is devoted to a different color crayon with an illustration that looks as if it were actually colored by crayon. At the end of the book, Duncan tries his best to make the crayons feel better.

This book appeals to younger and older children alike. There are many different types of lessons that can be developed. For younger students, the class can talk about each of the feelings the crayons felt, and then draw on personal connections if any of the other students have ever felt that same way. This book includes a whole new perspective on coloring, an activity with which many children are familiar. Understanding different perspectives is an important skill for all people to develop. Other activities include debunking stereotypes about how each color crayon is used, writing letters, learning about strikes and talking about what kinds of events are worthy of going on strike, as well as conflict resolution. Students can also explore their creativity by choosing a color that is not in the book, and writing a letter as that color.

This book first caught my eye in my Kindergarten practicum classroom. My cooperating teacher read the book aloud, and I was entranced. While on the surface, this is a funny and entertaining book, there is so much potential for how it can be used in the classroom.

Miyuki: Modern Fantasy “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?”

I chose the book named “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?” by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mark Teague.

In the “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?” there are 10 dinosaurs that behave badly toward human parents before going to bed. In half of the story, they behave nicely such as hug, kissed, tell good night, and go to bed for sleep.

This book’s themes are to challenge children to consider emotional relate at bedtime, and ask about daily life. It is impossible that animals such as dinosaurs talked and hugged with human parents. In addition, it is impossible that dinosaurs spend time with humans in their house. So, this book’s genre is fantasy. Fantasy tends to show animal characters, this story’s characters were dinosaurs. This fantasy is animal fantasy too because it points to human thought and feeling. For example, children can see how dinosaurs acted like human children in the same way as their daily bed time.

This fantasy story is important because it will teach young readers to understand about daily life with bed time such as do not say selfish, and revolt parents. In addition, this story encourages young readers to explore significant morals. In addition, I found that this story’s quality in fantastic literature is imaginative and the structure is clear.  This book’s style uses vivid images to help children to understand the world.

I really love dinosaurs and the same with my old students in Japan, so we tended to make clay models of dinosaurs and read about dinosaurs. So, when I found this book, I was excited and I wanted to read aloud for my students when I will teach this fall.

I noticed that this book wanted to tell about a family’s relationship and how to go bed without self-indulgence. For example, in the picture book, dinosaurs often acted rebellious to their parents, however, they noticed that this behavior is not good. Finally they went to bed and gave kisses and hugs. In my classroom, I will let students read or ask about other animal stories, and I will discuss the different contents and similar contents. In addition, I will ask the students if they have same experience with dinosaurs in their daily life. Students will figure out patterns for their life. Lastly, students will discuss and compare the first half and the end to see what they found with how the dinosaurs behave, and will understand if their behavior is good or not. It is important that children will develop to think over about their behavior in the house.

I noticed that this author, Yolen wants to expose awareness raising because in the past and now, most children tend to have attitude to their parents at bedtime or around the house. Children will figure out if the dinosaurs’ behavior is good or not, and this will teach awareness raising. This book will teach students respect for others because people should respect each other, and not neglect their parents.

Age: 2 - 8 years

For read-aloud Ages 3 - 7 years

Tikki Tikki Tembo

Tikki Tikki Tembo is a Chinese folktale about why Chinese names today are so short. The story takes place in ancient China, where traditionally, first born sons have very long and elaborate names to show respect. Second born sons generally had short names that were not important. In this particular story, the first born son is named Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo, which means "The most wonderful thing in the whole wide world. The second born son is named Chang, which means "Little."

Throughout the story, Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo is always referred to by his full name to emphasize that everyone is required to say the full name, never using any nicknames (Interestingly, the title of this book is a shortened version of his name). One day, Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo and Chang were by the well, when Chang fell in. In a hurry, Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo ran to tell his mother what happened. Chang was saved in time, and life went on. A little while later, the brothers were by the well again when Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo fell in. Chang ran to tell his mother but he was so out of breath, he could not say Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo's full name. His mother didn't want to dishonor him, so she made Chang say it again more respectfully. By the time he had finally gotten help, Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo had been in the water for too long and died. This is why Chinese names today are condensed.

This myth is entertaining and can be adapted to fit a wide range of children. I remember as a child, loving this book because the long name was so funny to me. As children get older, however, a deeper discussion can take place about the moral of the story, and if they think it is an accurate depiction of Chinese names.

Folklore: Throw Your Tooth on the Roof

For the folklore section of this class I chose the book Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World by Shelby Beeler and illustrated by G. Brian Karas.

In this book you will travel around the world and learn about what kids from over 60 different countries do when their baby teeth fall out! You'll be surprised to find out just how many variations of the "tooth fairy" there are.

Beeler does a wonderful job organizing the book by continent/region and even includes a map for reference. This would be a wonderful book to use for learning about different cultures, traditions, myths, and folklore. The accompanying illustrations show just how unique children are in the varying countries. The illustrations depicted would be a fun way to discuss how cultures and nationalities are portrayed in a stereotypical way. For example, the boy from France is depicted in a striped shirt and red beret, while the girl from Germany is adorned in lederhosen. While these may be traditional attire to represent their nation, it is not considered everyday wear.

Overall, I think the book would be great for younger readers, K-3, that are beginning to lose their teeth or have already experienced a visit from the tooth fairy. It would be a great book to pull out at a teachable moment or to begin a discussion on diversity within family traditions. The biggest negative is that it is a rather long book and can become tedious to read since many of the traditions are similar or the same. Beller and Karas tried to keep up the energy by making each child's statement in the first person as if an actual child was telling a friend and providing plenty of fun illustrations to go along with each account. It would even be fun to give each student a page to share with the class.

"The Three Little Pigs: A Folktale Classic" by Paul Galdone

This story is one that we all are most likely familiar with. It is a classic folktale told in the classic style. This is a great way for children to get familiar with the original fable, something that is ingrained in our culture. Every country has their own folklore and this is one of ours.

The story is about three little pigs who are building homes for themselves. The first one builds their home out of straw and an evil wolf blows the house down and gobbles the pig up. The second builds his home out of sticks. Although it is more difficult for the wolf to blow that down, he still succeeds after a time and gobbles the second pig up. The third pig builds his house out of bricks and the wolf cannot blow it down so he attempts to trick the pig into coming out of the home. After several failed attempts, the wolf ends up being killed and eaten by the pig when he climbs down the chimney and lands in a boiling pot of water at the bottom.

This tale illustrates the classic style of teaching a moral to children. It has good and evil as an element and the magic number three involved. Children learn that there is evil in the world and that students should be careful when dealing with that. In order to outsmart evil, one must be cunning and think outside the box, which children can see through this story is successful.

Kim: Blog #1: Korean Folk Story for Children - Blindman's Daughter

Book Information
Title: Blindman's Daughter (Literal - Filial Daughter Shim Chung*)
Author: Folklore, thus author undetermined, however, this story is edited by Edward B. Adams,
Illustrator: Dong Ho Choi
Publication: 1981
Genre: Folklore

*In Korean culture, the family name goes first in naming order

Summary
A great many years ago... there lived a family that was made from a blind man, and his daughter, Shim Chung. Chung's mother died early when she was young, and Mr Shim, being blind and not able to take care of Chung by himself, the women of the neighborhood helped in raising Chung.

One day, when a Buddhist monk was walking over the bridge, he heard someone screaming, "save me! I have fallen and cannot swim!" The monk immediately jumped into the water, and saved the man who was sinking - Chung's dad. Not too long later, the monk has learned that little Chung has been praying for her father's sight to the heavenly spirit. The monk said that she may need to prepare 300 bags of rice for the heavenly spirit, then a miracle would occur. Chung has overheard it, and thought of an opportunity to find 300 bags of rice.

Not too much later, there were a group of merchants seeking for a maiden who was willing to be a sacrifice to the Great Water King in order pacify the angry sea dragon, so the merchants will have a save voyage to China. Chung heard of this, and offered herself to be the sacrifice for 300 bags of rice. At first, the merchants were reluctant, but agreed to the deal, and 300 bags of rice was to be delivered to the temple, and Chung was to be taken away to be sacrificed on the next full moon.

Excitedly, Chung told her father that she found a way to give 300 bags of rice in return for his sight - but did not told him how she was able to find that many bags of rice. Chung decided that there were so much to prepare for her father once Chung was sacrificed, and the father would have been left alone. She washed all his clothing, mended his horsehair hat, and repaired all the rice paper in the windows in their home.

Finally, the day came for Chung to leave her home...


6 Element of Social Justice
This story is very true to Chosun Korea (reigned during 1392-1897) and their cultural norms. Back then it was essential for Korean people to practice either Confucianism and/or Buddhism, which taught the virtue of being a filial offspring and honor parents over self. This behavior is indicated by Chung's willingness to do anything for her father. Because of the traditional value the book displays, it was difficult to find any elements that concerned social justice, however, few considerations were made. In the story, it was shown that the Mr. Shim's neighborhoods helped in raising Chung, as if they were a big family. It was also shown that how much frustration and limitations Mr. Shim experienced as a blind person, and we can experience the frustrations firsthand. By reading and understanding the frustrations, it is possible that we would become more mindful toward the blind people. Lastly, this book allows us to critically think about how much the time has changed since the time of publication - to consider if Korea are still practicing the same mindset as Chung did and/or otherwise.