Tag: Korean

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The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho

Written by Tina Cho, Illustrated by Jess. X Snow, Published by Kokila, 2020. (Picture book, Ages 5-8)

When I first learned about the diving women in Jeju, Korea I thought that it was absolutely awesome! So I got even more excited to learn that there was a picture book about them! The story is great too. A young girl is scared of her first dive into the ocean, but her grandmother doesn’t downplay her fears and gently helps her to successfully complete a dive.

BACKGROUND

Dayeon wants to be like her grandmother and dive to collect different treasures of the ocean, but when it comes to the actual dive she starts to hesitate. Will the breathing exercises and lessons her grandmother taught her work?

BEST FOR

About a ten minute read aloud that is great for a unit about the ocean, diving, relationships with grandparents, or overcoming fears.

PAIR WITH

Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker

WHERE TO PURCHASE

The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho

Featured

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

Written by Yoon Ha Lee, Published by Rick Riordan Presents, 2019. (Science Fiction, ages 8-12)

I’m not going to lie, it has been tough especially this last week. When you hear from friends and family of growing harassment and violence then to see it culminate in a hateful event with lives lost, it’s devastating. My family is still processing, but one of the things I have clung to is to think of the victories no matter how seemingly small they are. A few of these victories I look to is when I read a children’s book that is unapologetically authentic and unique. It’s so empowering to me and for readers everywhere to read stories that aren’t written to “fit” in a certain narrative and quietly gives permission to go ahead and be different. So here’s to all of you who, despite the message that someone’s story is less valued or purposely overlooked by others, are totally unafraid to be your authentic self and to share your story. What you really end up doing is giving everyone a wondrous gift. Thank you.

BACKGROUND

Min is a gumiho, a Korean fox spirit that can shape shift. Life seems bleak on her desolate planet Jinju, but when her older brother Jun is rumored to defect to look for the powerful Dragon Pearl, Min thinks it sounds suspicious. She takes it upon herself to prove his innocence. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

This middle school novel has Korean folklore interwoven throughout the story. It would best suited for readers looking for a high action, science fiction, gritty (but not too gritty!) read.

PAIR WITH

The Serpent’s Secret: Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond by Sayantani Dasgupta

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

Featured

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

Written by Linda Sue Park, Published by Clarion Books, 2020. (historical fiction, ages 8-11)

This was the honor title for the APALA children’s literature award for 2020. Not only is it a fascinating read, but if you read the author’s note Park reveals that this story was personal. She grew up loving Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books but struggled with the racism towards Natives as well as the lack of representation of Asians in that setting. As a result she wrote the book that she wished she had as a girl.

BACKGROUND

Hanna and her Pa move to the Dakota Territory in 1880. She dreams of fulfilling her late mother’s wishes of finishing school and becoming a dressmaker. However when you are the only half White half Asian girl in the territory, she must carefully overcome the racism and distrust of the community in order to accomplish her dreams.

BEST FOR

An intriguing middle grade read for those that love the slice of life frontier genre.

PAIR WITH

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee

Recently I’ve been struggling with a limited attention span, making reading very challenging. However, as soon as I picked up this book, I was sucked right into the story and could not put it down! What an emotional and gut-wrenching tale that is ultimately filled with love and hope. In the author’s note, Julie Lee mentioned that the story is based on the experiences of her mother who escaped from North Korea during the Korean War.

BACKGROUND

Sora and her family always talked about fleeing from North to South Korea, but the risks were too high. However, when war breaks out the family takes their chances. When Sora and her younger brother Youngsoo get separated from the rest of the family, they will have to find a way to South Korea no matter what. #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

A rich, enthralling middle grade novel that teaches about an important event of history and the human toll it took.

PAIR WITH

House Without Walls by Ching Yeung Russell

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Let’s Go To Taekwondo!: A Story About Persistence, Bravery, and Breaking Boards by Aram Kim

Written and illustrated by Aram Kim, Holiday House, 2020. (Picture book, 4-7)

taekwondo

I love the work of Aram Kim! So I was so excited to hear that she had a new book coming out this year. She never disappoints! I love her playful tone, quirky sense of humor, bright illustrations, and insights to Korean culture!

BACKGROUND

Korean cat Yoomi loves to go to the dojang to learn Taekwondo with her brothers. The only problem is she must break a board for her next belt, but she is scared to do it. Can she overcome her fear and reach her goal? #Ownvoices

BEST FOR

About a seven minute read aloud that is great way to model perseverance, solving problems, and self acceptance. Also a great way to talk about sports and Korean culture.

PAIR WITH

Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang

Where’s Halmoni? by Julie Kim

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Shop your local indie bookstore

Bee-bim Bop! By Linda Sue Park

Written by Linda Sue Park, Illustrated by Ho Baek Lee, Published by Clarion Books, 2005. (Picture Book, ages 3-6)

BeeBimBap

This is an oldie but goodie. After reading this to a class of first graders, a student raised their hand and said, “I’m hungry! Why do you always read us delicious books?!?” Her mom was volunteering during checkout time and was immediately informed that they were making bee-bim bop for dinner. Yep, I did my job that day.

BACKGROUND

In quick rhyming verse, a young Korean-American girl helps her Mama make bee-bim-bap for the whole family. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a five minute read aloud, perfect as a fun exploration into Korean food. The author included a recipe for hungry readers.

PAIR WITH

No Kimchi For Me! by Aram Kim

Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Bee-bim Bop!

Shop your local indie bookstore

The Turtle Ship by Helena Ku Rhee

Written by Helena Ku Rhee, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage, Published by Shen’s Books, 2018. (Fiction, ages 6-9)

img_0916This is the picture book debut of author Helena Ku Rhee and really is a triple threat of a book. It is based on an interesting person in history, (Admiral Yi Sun-Sin of Korea during the 1500’s) showcases STEM and is just an engaging story overall with breathtaking illustrations.

BACKGROUND

Sun-Sin is a young boy living in Korea. When the emperor holds a contest asking for designs for a new battleship Sun-Sin takes inspiration from his pet turtle and designs the Turtle Ship. Hopefully the royal court will approve. #OwnVoices

BEST FOR

About a fifteen minute read aloud that would be great as a STEM read. Also great for modeling grit, trial and error, and introducing the genre of historical fiction.

PAIR WITH

Honda: The Boy Who Dreamed of Cars by Mark Weston

Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story by Paula Yoo

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you are interested in reading The Turtle Ship

Shop your local indie bookstore

or here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings-The Turtle Ship

Hazel and Twig The Birthday Fortune by Brenna Burns Yu

Written and Illustrated by Brenna Burns Yu, Published by Candlewick Press, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 3-8)

HazelTwig.jpg

Very rarely do I see a book that covers the Korean first birthday ceremony of doljabi, so I was so excited to find this! The author noted that it was based on her own children’s doljabi’s and you can really feel the love she put into it.

BACKGROUND

A family of field mice are busy preparing for the first birthday for youngest sister Twig. Amid preparations, older sister Hazel tries to predict what Twig will choose for her doljabi, a ceremony where the baby chooses an object said to predict her future career.

BEST FOR

About a five minute read aloud for birthdays or learning about family traditions.

PAIR WITH

What Will You Be, Sara Mee? by Kate Aver Avraham

My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Hazel and Twig The Birthday Fortune

Shop your local indie bookstore

here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings – Hazel and Twig The Birthday Fortune

Rabbit Moon by Jean Kim

Written and Illustrated by Jean Kim, Published by Arthur A. Levine Books, 2018. (Picture Book, ages 3-6)

Rabbitmoon

BACKGROUND

This sweet story is based on the Korean folktale of the rabbit on the moon with his mortar and pestle. A lonely rabbit converts wishes to stars, but decides to leave for earth to find friendship.

BEST FOR

Read aloud for Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and visual learners (it reads like a graphic novel). #OwnVoices

PAIR WITH

Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival by Grace Lin

Mooncakes by Loretta Seto

-OR-

Activity

Have children fold paper airplanes and write their wishes on them.

WHERE TO PURCHASE

If you have an interest in reading Rabbit Moon 

Look up the here is a link for the book on Amazon

BookTastings – Rabbit Moon