Review Detail

Zuni and the Memory Jar is about a family who collects momentos all year long in a jar to bring out and share to help them remember the important accomplishments of the year. Each adult and older sibling has something to contribute to the jar and all reassure Zuni that one day she will also have things to add. The tone of the story is very positive and happy. When it’s time to share, Zuni shows her drawings demonstrating she was right there with each family member as they made their memories. This story is positive and the idea of creating a memory jar is a sweet tradition encouraging us all to reflect on times together big and small. It baffles me that the author didn’t include Zuni in any special accomplishment throughout the text and that Zuni’s character is ok with that. This upbeat outlook feels too mature for a younger sibling who cannot contribute a special accomplishment to the jar all year.