Yumi Heo (1964–2016)

In my opinion this is a great book for very young kids. The language of the text is patterned very well that it is easy to follow along. For example, everyday starting with ten days and nine nights, the little girl does an activity, then the page ends with how many days and nights are left. A specific example is, I practice. I have six days and five nights.” The main character is a young girl who is about to receive a new sibling. She is a well-developed, believable character as she show more prepares for her new sister to arrive. For example, it says “Grandma makes a little pink dress.” This allows young readers to relate if their mother may be having a new baby or if their family may be adopting a child like this little girl and they may become an older brother or sister to a new born. The illustrations enhance the story and the mood of how excited the little girl is for her new sister. For example, it says “At last! I have no days and no nights.” The image that goes with this text is of the little girl running with her arms wide open to her mother who is now holding her baby sister. You can feel the joy and happiness of the little girl as she now has someone new to play with and take care of. The message of this story is that even if you are not directly related to someone, they can still become family. Family is important as long as the ones you love are around. show less

I did not like this book very much. The first reason I disliked his book was the dialogue between the characters. The purpose of the book was that each friend thought they were the most important, but later realized that they all were, and the dialogue was very negative because of it. For example, the scissors said "You forgot about me. You talk only about yourself. How good is measuring the silk well if you cannot cut it? I am the most important of all." I just thought that it was very show more argumentative, abrasive, and rude. I understand that they needed to be that way to get to the moral of the story, but I feel the authors could have been a bit more tactical in that regard. I also did not like how this book played into gender stereotypes and discriminatory towards females. The seamstress was a woman, as well as all of her tools. Not only were her tools female, but they all had names that suggested that marriage for girls are important. Some of the names were Newlywed Scissors, Young Bride Needle, and Young Bride Red Thread. Overall this book will not make it into my classroom. The message of this book was everyone has a job, and everyone is important. show less

A young girl eagerly awaits the arrival of her new baby sister in Yumi Heo's Ten Days and Nine Nights, checking off the days on her calendar until the big moment. As she and Grandpa redecorate her room in preparation for the new arrival, and Daddy brings home more furniture, Mommy is shown in a far-off country, making the final arrangements for an adoption. Finally, when there are no days and no nights left, Mommy returns, and girl meets baby for the first time...

I appreciated Heo's positive show more approach to the subject of international adoption. Her simple text depicts an older sibling who has no resentment to overcome, no problems to deal with: she's simply excited about the new addition to the family. I also liked Heo's oil, pencil and collage illustrations, in which stylized figures seem to dance in front of colorful, detailed backdrops. But although I approve of the idea, and intentions, of this book, there simply wasn't enough of a story to truly involve me in it. I found it pleasant, but not particularly memorable. Still, I think it would be an excellent selection for young readers who are facing this situation themselves, as they will no doubt take more away from it than I. show less

Ten days and nine nights is a story about adoption as told from the sister's point of view. She spends her ten days preparing, practicing, and getting ready for the arrival of her new baby sister. Since it is told from a child's view I think it's a good, basic introduction to adoption for children. From this story, as a teacher it is easy to then explain what adoption is and why some children are adopted. Also, the sister's excitement and love before her sister even gets there shows love show more through no boundaries. Even though her sister is adopted she already loves her just the same, and this is a concept children will have when younger and need to learn to keep. If it is instilled in them at a young age to love despite all factors that makes a student different from someone else then it is a quality that will travel with them. show less