Hyun-joo Bae

There are three main reasons I enjoyed the book New Clothes for New Year’s Day by Hyun-Joo Bae. The first reason being the illustrations. The illustrations were fitting and appropriate with the text. For example, the illustrations showed step-by-step how the young girl prepared her clothes for New Year’s Day and how they were to be worn. The second reason being the descriptive language. Since New Clothes for New Year’s Day was centered on a young Japanese girl, Japanese terms were used in the book. However, the author provided the definition of each piece of clothing and where it was to be worn on the body. A picture with these descriptions are also placed at the end of the book. The final reason I enjoyed this book was because it provided the history and significance of New Year’s Day in the Japanese culture. Throughout the book the author showed how the Japanese prepare for New Year’s, as well as why the holiday is important. The overall message of New Clothes for New Year’s Day is to embrace new beginnings and future possibilities.… (más)

I like this book for a couple reasons. First, the emotions you can feel of the young girl are contagious. You can feel the anticipation she feels of the new year and the giddiness she expresses as she puts on the clothes. It reminds me of when I would put on my “qipao” for Chinese new year as a child and look forward to the celebrations at my grandma’s house.
The second is that it includes detailed instructions on how to wear the traditional Korean dress called the hanbok. It details this in beautiful traditional Asian art which is typically drawn in calligraphy form with soft colors and lines. There is even more information in the back talking about the clothes and also the traditions of the new year.
The third is that it brings in the reasoning behind the new clothes. The little girl talks about how the clothes bring good luck. The reader can also feel the family’s love in this gift to the little girl as she treasures the clothes she wears.
The idea is the meaning behind new clothes and the renewal of a new year. There is a lot of symbolism that is brought up through a child’s perspective.
This book is realistic fiction because these events can happen in the current times. It could also be informational since it goes into great detail about how to wear the traditional clothing.
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The book “New Clothes for New Year’s Day” by Hyun-Joo Bae was not very impressive. I was disappointed with the illustrations; some of the pages were completely blank. The lack of illustration is shocking, because the story is about colorful clothes, so the pages should be full of color. I also thought the story was very dry; it was almost like the character was listing off bullet points such as in the line “Arms go in carefully, one at a time, into the rainbow stripped jacket.” What I did like about this book is that it is a great way to learn about part of the Chinese culture. The main idea of this book is to learn about what the outfits are like for the Chinese New Year.… (más)

In my opinion this is a great book. The reason is due to the writing that is entailed. It is very informative but does not go to deep. It explains to the reader why the Chinese culture wears new clothes for the New Year and it is because you are starting a new life with new adventures, such as your birthday, so it is important to be your best on the New Year. Also, the illustrations add so much more information then just the text alone. Everything is black and white except the illustration, which stands out in fire truck red and different colors of the rainbow. It teaches the reader step- by- step how to get dressed in the tradition clothing and all the articles of clothing that need to be worn, such as a skirt, a top, a vest, hair ribbon, hat, fur vest, embroider socks, and new shoes. The big idea in this book is the culture of the Chinese New Year. What is expected for the Chinese culture to wear each New Year.… (más)