Korean children’s books you must gift your kids

With the advent of the internet, there has been a sudden boom in the spread of Korean culture all across the globe, including India. Several Korean restaurants, beauty hacks, pop culture, movies, and television shows have found their way into Indian homes. This has given us a whole new perspective of Korean culture, traditions, and lifestyle. Furthermore, Korean literature has also started to seep in and is picking up slowly. Therefore, here are some Korean children’s books you must gift your kids.

The book features a Korean girl and her freediving grandmother. It depicts intergenerational bonds, finding courage in the face of fear, and connecting with the natural world outside. The girl, Dayeon, wants to be a freediver like her grandma and with her guidance, she comes to appreciate the ocean's many gifts.

Pic credit: Kokila

The book introduces its readers to a fascinating episode in Korean history and naval engineering. Its blurb gives the readers a peek inside it: "Long ago in Korea, a young boy named Sunsin spent his days playing with his pet turtle Gobugi and dreaming of sailing around the world. As a poor villager, though, his dream to travel seemed impossible. Then one day, the king's court announced a contest to find the best design for a new battleship to defend the land from invaders. The winner would sail the ocean with the royal navy."

Pic credit: Shens Books & Supplies

The book centers on Yoomi, who hates kimchi - the pickled cabbage condiment served at Korean meals. Because of this, her brothers call her a baby and refuse to play with her. As per its blurb, "This story about family, food, and a six-year-old "coming of age" has universal themes, and at the same time celebrates Korean culture. "

Pic credit: Holiday House

It is a true story about compassion and bravery as a young girl, Yoori and her community in South Korea help deliver rice via balloons to the starving and oppressed people in North Korea. They fill balloons with air and tie the Styrofoam containers filled with rice to the tails of the balloons. With a little push, the balloons soar up and over the border, carrying rice in the darkness of the night over to North Korea."

Pic credit: Little Bee Books

The book's blurb best describes its inside contents: "Beautifully illustrated and told by debut author Julie Kim, this picture book in a graphic-novel style follows a young Korean girl and boy whose search for their missing grandmother leads them into a world inspired by Korean folklore, complete with mischievous goblins (dokkebi), a greedy tiger, a clever rabbit, and a wily fox."

Pic credit: Little Bigfoot

It is an enchanting retelling of a classic fairy tale. It centers on Pear Blossom, whose mother dies. Her father remarries, but her stepmother resents her step-daughter's beauty. However, with the help of magical creatures (togkabis), she can accomplish each task, and triumph over her stepmother’s cruelty.

Pic credit: HarperCollins

It is about a young girl, who is the new kid in school. She is afraid that nobody will be able to pronounce her name. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week!

Pic credit: RHUS