Republic of Korea
(Romanization
according to McCune-Reischaure norms)
21
Cho, Kyŭ-Hŭi (text)
Kwon, Mun-H2i (illus.)
Chang sŭngŏp kwa yŏt kŭrim ikki (Chang, a well-known Korean painter)
Seoul: Ungin Ssingkŭpik, 2007. – 51 p.
(Iyagika issnŭnjakŭn Misulkan tach'ae; 16)
ISBN 978-89-01-06225-9
Korea/19th century – Painter – Art – Travel – Countryside
The Korean painter Chang lived in the time of the Joseon Dynasty in the 19th century. In his travels through Korea, he captured his impressions in sketches and later produced his renowned paintings based on these templates. For a long time, his pictures were definitive for Korean book illustrators. This beautiful, informative, high-quality print book presents the opportunity to step into both Chang’s life and work and life in Korea 200 years ago. It contains numerous naturalistic representations of mountain chains, little streams, and delicately blossoming trees interspersed with comical if enigmatically humorous scenes from everyday life. Descriptions of Chang’s working
method inspire the reader to draw.
(6+)
22
Hŏ, Ŭn-mi (text)
Yi, Jong-mi (illus.)
Kaemihŏli (The ants)
P'aju: Kugmin Sŏkwan, 2007. – [36] p.
(Yetnal yetchŏk e; 6)
ISBN 978-89-11-02711-8
Ant – Social behaviour – Industry – xSelf-sufficiency
This fable-like animal story takes place long ago. The ants do not yet live
on the ground, but rather reside contentedly in the fur of a rabbit and feed
on its blood. One day, the bunny angrily decides to get rid of the
freeloaders. With the help of a yummy little ball of rice, it cunningly
coaxes them out of its fur. While the ants wait vainly for its return, their
hunger becomes intolerable and they start to look for food themselves. In
this way, they gradually become self-sufficient and realize how important
living and working in a community is. The author has chosen unusual
characters, since ants
are unknown in the Korean narrative tradition. Text and image join together
in telling the story with wit and energy. The illustrations, painted with
watercolours in warm hues, spark the imagination. The different moods of the
characters, such as their friskiness and anxiety, come through particularly
vividly.
(4+)
23
Sin, Chi-Yun (text)
Yun, Mi-Suk (illus.)
Uri appajom ch'atajuseyo (I am looking for my father)
Seoul: Yŏwŏnidio, 2008. – [36] p.
(Tt'antt'suhwakdonghwa 1 tankye)
ISBN 978-89-5570-640-6
Father – Child – Search for identity – Sense of security
Because the blue penguin believes that the bear cannot be his father, he
goes in search of his »real father«. On the arduous journey, he encounters
many happy animal families and realizes how important parental devotion to
their young is. But because no one pays him any heed, he continues his
search each time – sad, but determined. When the little penguin is already
weakened by hunger, »father» bear suddenly appears and clasps him in his
arms. Contentedly, the penguin piggybacks back home. The author tells this
tender story about the fears and dreams of a child and the search for
security in a manner easily understood by young children. Just like the
text, the lively double-page coloured illustrations transmit trenchant
insight into the thoughts of the little penguin. (3+)
24
Sin, Tong-jun (text/illus.)
Mulgogiwa paramkwa p'iano (The fish, the wind, and the piano)
Seoul: Ch'obang Ch'aekpang, 2008. – [34] p.
ISBN 978-89-90614-24-7
Sea – Fish – Music – Sensory impression
This unusual, ambitious picture book is primarily aimed at older children
and adult readers. The cryptic text reports in very terse sentences about a
fish in the sea that lives in harmony with nature. Its sensory impressions
are precisely described. Its touch and hearing are almost one and the same.
Thick rain drops, the strong wind, and the wash of waves on its back seem to
it like music and fill its innermost being with the most beautiful sounds
and let it ascend all the way to heaven. Fitting with the text, Sin Tong-jun
has made quite abstract and fascinating paper collages, which can be grasped
only through the imaginative work of the reader. The artist bravely leaves
large empty white areas on the spread. The aesthetic pictures are dynamic
and yet at the same time exude a great peace. (10+)
25
Yu, Ŭn-sil (text)
Chŏng, Sŏng-hwa (illus.)
Mangukki sonyŏn. Yu Ŭn-sil tonghwajip (The parade of flags)
Pjaju: Changbi, 2007. – [177] p.
(Changbi adong mungo; 232)
ISBN 978-89-364-4232-3
Multiculturalism – Social behaviour
This volume contains nine short stories that portray how ideas for a peaceful human community are generated in dialogues between children and adults. In many different ways, it imaginatively treats the things in a child’s everyday life, alongside human relations within a larger, global context. The title story, for instance, tells of a successful project day at a school where every student, encouraged by the teacher, presents his or her vision of peace. In this way, the children gain self-confidence, feel personally addressed, and learn to listen to others. For example, by hanging up different national flags, a boy transforms the classroom into a sports arena, where children of all nations can peacefully encounter one another. (7+)