Updated March 5, 2025
Yangsook Choi, a South Korean author and illustrator, visited St. Mary’s to share her passion for storytelling and art. Best known for The Name Jar, she studied art in New York and has lived in both Korea and the U.S. Her books, including New Cat, Behind the Mask, and The Sun Girl and the Moon Boy, have received critical acclaim. The Name Jar has been recognized as an ALA Notable Children’s Book and is widely used in classrooms to discuss identity and inclusion. She is currently visiting schools in Japan, including Aoba International School and International School Sacred, and was invited to visit St. Mary’s by Ms. Hays, the Elementary librarian.
During her visit, Choi showed students in the elementary school how to create characters, build a story, and illustrate a book. She gave a live drawing demonstration and encouraged students to never give up on their creative dreams. Students were fascinated by her process and enjoyed seeing where she worked.
Many felt inspired, especially the fifth graders, some of whom were motivated to start writing. Around 20 students stayed behind to share their drawings and stories, receiving personal feedback from Choi. Though her session for grades 3, 4, and 5 was planned for 30 minutes, she generously extended it to an hour.
According to Ms. Hays, her visit left a lasting impact, encouraging young writers and artists to keep creating with confidence and passion.
