Jin Woo

by Eve Bunting, Chris K. Soentpiet (Illustrator)

David likes his family the way it has always been, just him and Mom and Dad. He never wanted to be a big brother. And he certainly didn’t want Jin Woo, the little baby from Korea, to join the family. Now Jin Woo is getting all the attention, and David feels as if no one cares about him anymore. But then a surprising letter helps him to understand that being a brother can mean being surrounded with more love than ever.
Eve Bunting and Chris Soentpiet bring the same deep emotion that distinguished their previous collaboration, So Far from the Sea, to this moving story of an adoptive family that has love to spare.

Genres: Picture Books, Adoption, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Cultural, Family, Fiction

30 pages, Hardcover

First published April 23, 2001

About the author

Also known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.

Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.

Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.

In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Susan Siow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome story! Love it!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional adoption story. Really special that the older child is also adopted. I particularly like the end, though I didn't at first. It seemed wrong to have Davey give up something for the baby, just to prove that he's a good brother and a big kid. But it's more than that, it's the principle of sacrifice, I can't put it into words but the thing that ascetics do... it strengthens the one who makes the sacrifice and strengthens the bond between these brothers.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a little sappy and hits you in the face with the message a bit too much for my taste. However, I can see it being useful for kids who are adopted or who are about to welcome a new baby into the family.

[Barb Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy is excited and not sure about adopting a younger brother from Korea.

[Allie Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

7. David is a young child that is dealing with the emotions of getting a new adopted brother from Korea. Each day that the arrival date gets closer, David has more anxiety and uneasy feelings about receiving a new sibling. All the talk is about the new baby and preparation for many months has David feeling like he has less and less attention. David goes to sleep each night, looking at the ducks he was given as a baby, praying that he will still feel loved when the new baby comes. The day of the baby’s arrival, David, mom, and dad wake up very early to head to the airport. As the moment gets closer, David feels as if it is taking an eternity for his brother, Jin Woo to arrive. He truly does not know if he is stressed, excited or somewhere in between. When the nice lady that has escorted the baby hands him over, the whole family is overwhelmed with emotion. On the ride home David starts to bond with his new brother and make him laugh for the first time in America. Once they arrive back at home, a large group of people welcomes the baby, just like they did when Andrew came home. The reader now knows that Andrew had been adopted and sees a deeper look into why the child feels the way he does. I feel like this book speaks to the theme that everyone wants to feel like they have a place to belong and they feel loved. Within the pages of this book, I read that family is so important for a child growing up. The characters within this book make me ask a lot of question about how different parents deal with adoption. How do parents tell the children that they are adopted? How do parents know when it is time to adopt? How do siblings react if they feel like they are more or less loved than the adopted child? I am not close to many people that are adopted, so it really makes me want to know the story of more people. This book deserves 3 stars because I feel like there are many other books with this same storyline. I would recommend this book for parents and teachers that have student that are adopted or going to have a sibling being adopted. I feel like this book can open many healthy conversations.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a unique addition to the picture books you've read, Goodreaders! And why? Because this story combines:

1. The frustrations and other awful feelings of David, an only child who's about to become a big brother or sister.
2. A book about adoption and what that's like for a child already in the family, since Jin Woo is the baby being adopted in this story.
3. Also, this is a book about blended families, since David and his parents are White Americans. Whereas Jin Woo was born as a Korean.

Furthermore, here's one more difference about this book. Other titles that I've read star on these topics have a main character who is very young, even a toddler. David is older. I'm guessing at least eight years old.

AS FOR THE STORY ITSELF

A major plot point is the letter that the new baby brings with him, a letter that's supposed to be from the infant Jin Woo to his new older brother. When you read that?

If this doesn't bring tears to your eyes... you might be dehydrated.

FIVE STARS and HIGHEST PRAISE for this magnificent book. Also, I shelved this book under SOCIAL JUSTICE. Adopting children from different backgrounds is one of the ways that humanity can learn to see the person and not the race.

* Thanks to author Eve Bunting for her deft way of telling a story.
* Thanks to Chris Soentpiet for illustrations in the form of exquisite paintings, so realistic (especially the facial expressions of the people portrayed).

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

9/23/2018 ~~ I think this is a book that is still relevant, 17 years after it was first published. While I usually love Soentpiet's illustrations, some of the images in this book didn't feel like they translated to the present. The clothing or the couples' expressions felt like it came from much longer ago. Children who are in a family with a new sibling may be able to feel the love that imbues the story.

[Ashley Moser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story is about a family who adopts a boy from Korea and how the older brother feels about the new addition.

[Mary & Nobles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story and depiction and interracial/international adoption. It was quite wordy so I would recommend it for older elementary students.

[Madeline Clements · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book might help children cope with getting a new sibling. It also could help children that are adopted feel like they are not alone. I enjoyed this book and would read it to my class

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title / Author / Publication Date:
Jin Woo / Buntin, Eve. Soentpiet, Chris K. (ill.) / 2001

Genre: Fiction

Format: Picture Book – print

Plot summary:
When David’s parents adopt a baby from Korea he wants to be happy with them but is worried, and a little jealous. But throughout the arrival and homecoming of Jin Woo, David’s feelings begin to change. He is comforted by a letter “written” by Jin Woo and he realizes that being a brother means being surrounded with more love than ever.

Review citation:
PreS-Gr 2 David's parents are adopting a baby from Korea, and the boy, also adopted, is less than thrilled. Bunting's sensitive writing tells of JinWoo's arrival from David's point of view, infusing the story with childlike sensibility and humor. (When his mother says she can't wait for the baby to arrive, the protagonist tells readers, "I can wait. I could wait longer.") Soentpiet's watercolors are suffused with light and perfectly capture the characters' expressions, from the tense faces of the expectant parents, to the delighted looks of the airport bystanders witnessing the baby's happy arrival. One particularly effective illustration shows David's parents through the glass of the airport window, watching the infant emerge from the plane. While their hands are pressed against the pane and their faces are alight with anticipation, their son looks at them uneasily. His fears begin to recede when he finds that he can make the baby laugh, and they fall away completely when his mother reads him a letter from his new brother assuring him that his parents' love for JinWoo won't take anything away from him. (She wrote it for the baby, his mother says, because she knows what is in his heart.) The only small inconsistency is the car seat in one illustration, which faces forward instead of backward, as it should for a five-month-old child. However, the story's emotional veracity will speak to any new sibling.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, Eldersburg, MD --Kathleen Kelly MacMillan (Reviewed May 1, 2001) (School Library Journal, vol 47, issue 5, p112)

Section source used to find the material: Books about Adoption | Children’s Literature at the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Recommended age: Ages 3-9

[Ch_hayley Medsker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jin Woo by Eve Bunting is a story of a family that is in the adoption process. Little David, who is only about four or five, is trying to make sense of why his adopted parents would want another child. He is anxious about the changes that will occur when his mom and dad adopt a boy from Korea. Will there be enough love for him still? Why does the new baby get all the attention? Albeit, at the end, Davey and his parents have a heart-felt discussion of the changes that are happening in their family, which David begins to accepts. At the end, David begins to love his new little brother, Jin Woo, his family's "happy jewel."
Eve Bunting, once again, accomplishes a way for young readers or children to understand difficult changes in the family structure. The thoughts and actions of the characters are quite authentic. Young children in this scenario will undoubtedly ask, "Why am I not enough for my parents?" or "What changes will the new baby bring to my life?" The interactions of the family, and their response to the situation may be acceptable and satisfying to a young child that is going through this same process. Despite if students have had a similiar event like this happen in their immediate lives, a new sibling or a change in family structure are commonalities that young children endure. I would read this to primary aged students to recognize the diversity of families, how to be accepting of change, and to acknowledge feelings of resistence to these changes. The illustrator, Chris Soentpiet, impressivley represents the thoughts, feelings, and character's actions in such a life-like manner. He allows the reader to really feel like they're experiencing the events with the story characters.

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jin Woo is a story told from a seven-year-old's point of view. He is getting ready to get a new baby brother that the parents are adopting from Korea. The story shows just how happy the parents are and just how hesitant the young boy is. He is not sure how much he is ready to have a new baby brother. He likes his family just the way that it is now. As the story progresses, the boy gets more apprehensive until the parents start to include him into helping with his new brother. The boy is also comforted by a neighbor who tells him how excited the parent were when they brought him home. In the end the boy is more excited about his new brother.
The artwork in this story is done in watercolor and is very realistic. Some of the pictures almost seem like photographs. The details that the illustrator puts in are amazing, especially the shadowing. The artwork takes up most of the spread, but all the words are black print on white paper on the far left side of the page. This makes the reading very easy to follow.
While I feel this is a very good book that serves its purpose, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. It is very purposeful in its story. I would strongly recommend it to someone who is getting a new sibling either by adoption or naturally. The emotions felt by the boy are very real that many kids feel when they are getting a new family member. Since there are so many words, and it is a longer story, I would recommend it for first to third graders the most.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two oval stickers in the front of this library book with a rather detailed description of the book written in ink. Someone's version of a manual GoodReads? I'm leaving them where they are just for the hell of it.
In Jin Woo a boy is waiting with his parents for the arrival of his new little brother. This arrival is a little different than most because the baby is coming on a plane from Korea. The parents excitement shows on each and every page while the boys face is more reserved and showing his hesitation.
When the baby arrives Davey is helping with Jin Woo and he starts to warm a little to his baby brother. Davey is happy to hear from a neighbor that his parents where just as excited as his own homecoming which is a worry I can see a lot of kids in this situation relating to.
The one part I didn't care for much was the letter "from" Jin Woo. It just seemed too much for me. I get what Bunting was trying to do and I even think it was a good idea but I think having the parents or a friend or neighbor maybe talk to Davey and tell him his help will be needed would have been better. I can't see any kid being too thrilled about a letter from an infant. Any kid this age would know the deal and probably think it's silly to say the least.
The ending is the best and that's the part Julia liked also, with the rubber duckies.

[Jennifer Olsker · Rating 4 out of 5]

When looking at the cover of this book, the reader can already get the sense that this book is going to be multi-cultural. It is about the blending of a family with new culture. Although the reader finds out that David was adopted as well, the reader gets a sense that the real change is coming with Jin Woo. The feeling of change is portrayed through the whole family, but it is mostly dominated by David. For example, in many pictures near the beginning of the story his facial expressions are sad or confused looking; he always seems to be looking down or looking from afar at the happy parents. These images also give the feeling that David does not share in their happiness and that he feels distant from this whole process. One aspect I enjoyed about this book is that it does show the blending of cultures as well as specific example of the singular culture. In this example it is the culture of Korea. The author provides a direct translation of the baby's name and two examples of traditions in Korea(the golden ring and the Hanbok, an outfit to wear on his first birthday.) Although simplistic, this book is a great way to introduce multiculturalism to young children.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and its life-like illustrations capture some of the complicated emotions that children feel when they anticipate the arrival of a new sibling into their family. Young David is not so sure he wants his parent to adopt another baby, but as soon as he connects with his new baby brother, Jin Woo, he finds his fears melt away.

Audience: K-2 for read-aloud or guided reading, independent reading-transitional readers

Uses: The large illustrations would work well in a read-aloud in early elementary students. Could stimulate good discussion about adoption and sibling additions. Text could be read independently by transitional readers. Literary aspects- easily identifiable theme and plot, good for story sequencing practice in K-1.

Additional notes: This family is a middle class white American family of middle SES adopting baby from Korea.

[Ch_nataliepelaia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is told from the viewpoint of the baby's older brother David (age 7), who is also adopted. He is worried and sad when he discovers how much attention is being given to the arrival of the newly apdopted baby. The parents are thrilled and so excited and at first seem to only speak about the new baby. The baby arrives and David gets to hold the him and realizes having a little baby brother is not so bad after all.
I enjoyed the realistic pictures and the detail of the illustrations. I think this story would be great for a young child from k-4th grade, who is an only child, dealing with the worries of having a little brother or sister, adopted or not. The pictures were amazing and I liked how the book went through the emotions of what the parents and the child is feeling.

[Sarah Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Jin Woo
Author: Eve Bunting
Illustrator: Chris Soentpiet
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Date: 2001
Genre: fiction

This book addresses the tough issue of adoption. After the adoption of a new son from Korea into a family with only one child, the only child, a boy, feels as if he is being replaced. It is the love that his mother and father show him that helps him to realize that he will be loved equally. This book would be good to incorporate into a classroom because it softly and sweetly discusses feelings that some students in the class may have experienced at one point or another in their lives.

[Kelly Sommers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a boy who's parents are adopting a baby from Korea, Jin Woo. Davis is not to happy about this. He likes things just the way they are; he never wanted to be a big brother. Now Jin Woo takes all his attention and he feels like no one cares about him anymore. But then a surprising letter helps him to understand that being a brother can mean being surrounded with more love than ever. I think this is an excellent book to help children who are struggling with having an adopted sibling or becoming a big brother or sister. It is for younger children, ages 5-8 years old. I personally enjoyed this book; I love reading about adoption.

[Amber Basinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a beautiful story about adoption! In the story, Bunting shows the prospective of the sibling. Jin feels neglected, which is true for many young children when their parents adopt. The story is emotion-filled and touching, as Jin accepts the addition to his family and loves his baby brother. The marriage between the illustrations and text are perfect. The illustrations show exact feelings of the characters. This book will help students who struggle to understand difficult changes with their family.

[Amy Baric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jin Woo is close with his family and loves his parents. However, they have decided to adopt another boy from Korea. He is scared that his parents will not love him as much or that they are adopting because they do not like him. He soon learns that his parents love for him is what has prompted them to adopt another little boy. As human, we constantly struggle with questioning the love of others. A book such as this, along with something like No David, reiterates the idea that parents should love their children regardless of the changes that occur throughout life.

[Amy Fustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents a real life situation from a fictional stand point. The story is about a family that adopts a baby girl from Korea and the biological son has a difficult time adjusting to the new addition to the family. Children will find themselves relating to the emotions of the little boy who feels jealousy and loneliness in the wake of his little sisters arrival. The message that this story sends is of redemption and understanding. Lessons that children need to learn and practice as they grow up like the boy in the story.

[Esmoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, beautifully illustrated story of a boy whose family adopts from abroad. The boy's apprehensions are described in terms that are easy for young children to understand. The pictures are like perfect snapshots of emotion-filled moments, not just illustrating the words but also giving us even more information about the characters and their feelings.

I don't think my four year old understood everything that was going on in this book, but it was still very much enjoyed by both of us.

[Gail Barge]

I have read book by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. The way the writing and illustrations work together is truly breathtaking. This would be a great story to share with a student who is going through the process of adopting a baby into their family, or even just having a new baby in general. The way love is portrayed in this story is so poignant and innocent. A lovely story of the true love of a family!

[Alexandra Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated this story and how the author depicted adoption from a biological child's perspective. This book would be a wonderful resource to use in the classroom to open students point of view on adoption and the beauty of expanding a family. I valued how the author took the story and incorporated love and morals from the family. This book would do a wonderful job at opening the eyes of students to different options in how families can grow.

[Allison Wine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! Children will be able to relate to this story if they have gone through the process of being adopted or have adopted another child into their family. It does bring pain into a children's life because they may feel like they are getting replaced, and this story does a good job showing that, but also provides a beautiful ending that love will overcome in circumstance.

[Jenna's Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jenna (3) really did enjoy this book even though there were many aspects that she didn't understand because it was too old for her at. It was a sweet story about the fears and anxieties an adopted boy experiences as he anticipates the arrival of his new baby brother, Jin Woo, from Korea and about how Moms and Dads have more than enough love for all of their children.

[Stephanie Nierste · Rating 4 out of 5]

By reading this book, children will be able to understand the importance of accepting other people into their lives. The author creates a story that allows children to understand how to cope when situations don't turn out the way they anticipated them too. The illustrator of the book creates realistic illustrations, which also allows children to connect to the story.

*Fiction

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eve Bunting, once again, makes me feel something deep down, though a child would not feel what I felt as a mother. I can imagine, however that a child preparing for a sibling would feel something that I no longer remember. My girls were drawn in by the warm, happy pictures. The prose wasn't as captivating as some of Ms. Bunting's other books, but cumulatively, a moving life-experience snapshot.