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HALMONI AND THE PICNIC by Sook Nyul Choi

HALMONI AND THE PICNIC

by Sook Nyul Choi & illustrated by Karen M. Dugan

Pub Date: Sept. 1st, 1993
ISBN: 0-395-61626-3
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Yunmi, a Korean-American third-grader in a N.Y.C. parochial school, worries about her grandmother Halmoni, who's been in the US only two months and is having a hard time with the English language and American customs. When Yunmi's friends invite Halmoni to chaperon a class picnic and Halmoni insists on bringing special Korean food, Yunmi fears her classmates may turn up their noses at the kimbap or make fun of Halmoni's traditional clothing. But thanks to Halmoni's gentle, generous ways and the children's good- natured curiosity, the day is a great success—and Halmoni is even emboldened to say goodbye in English. Manhattan looks clean and picturesque in color illustrations that fill alternate pages, bordered in beautiful Korean textile designs. A sensitive exploration of difficulties facing immigrants, particularly older people who don't get the crash course in American culture provided by school or a job. (Picture book. 5-9)