Edna Coe Bercaw, illustrated by Robert Hunt,
Halmoni’s Day.
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2000

Jennifer and her family await for Halmoni (grandmother) to emerge from a crowd exiting a airplane gate. They are anxious for Halmoni’s visit, and more importantly to Jennifer, Halmoni’s visit to her class for Grandparents’ Day. Jennifer is fearful at the thought of her non-English speaking Korean grandmother embarrassing her at school in front of her ‘American’ friends and their grandparents. As it turns out, Halmoni shares a deeply and moving story of the importance of family to the class that makes Jennifer even more proud. Bercaw has created a warm story that integrates multiple issues with ease. Hunt provides warm illustrations. This would be a great book for any young Asian American girl or boy to have in their own library.

Tanya Kim