Children's literature from or about Korea and the Korean diaspora was largely unknown to the world until the 1980's, when some Korean books in translation first began to show up in English-speaking countries. Even though over twenty years and a few generations of immigrants later the number of books is still fairly small, there's a considerable parade of titles spreading the promise of many more to come.

From folktales, to historical accounts, to tales of wisdom through the ages and stories about the immigrant experience, these books reveal the touching legacies from Korean culture and not only deepen our knowledge but also correct our misunderstandings about it.

Below is a sample of well-spun yarns that are sure to open a window onto the world of children's literature about Korea and the Korean immigrant experience:

I Love Korea, edited by A.C. Nahm, B.J.Jones and Gi-eun Lee (Hollym International, 2002). This book is a wonderful portrayal of Korean lifestyles, history, folktales, poems and songs. Readers will both enjoy and learn a lot from these stories.

Land of Morning Calm, Korean Culture Then and Now, by John Stickler and Soma Han Stickler ( Shen's Books, 2003). An excellent and attractive introduction to Korea's traditional and modern culture. Topics include: the Korean alphabet, food, music, celebrations, etc.

A Tiger By The Tail and Other Stories from the Heart of Korea, retold by Lindy Curry (Libraries Unlimited, 1999). A lot of wisdom to be found in these retellings of traditional folktales. They show Korea's heart and its wealth of myths and legends.

Rabbit's Judgment, by Suzanne Crowder Han, illus. by Yumi Heo (Holt, 1995). In this beautiful bilingual edition of a traditional Korean folktale about justice and morality, a clever and witty rabbit tricks a conniving tiger to save a man's life.

The Love of Two Stars, retold and illustrated by Janie Jaehyun Park (Groundwood Books, 2005). The Koreans saw Kyonu and Jiknyo in the sky, where the Greeks saw Altair and Vega... The retelling of this tale is every bit as beautiful as the starry sky where farmer Kyonu and weaver Jiknyo meet, fall in love, and anger the king of the skies... but rest assured. All is heavenly in the end!

When My Name Was Keoko, by Linda Sue Park (Clarion, 2004). During the Japanese occupation of Korea, Koreans were ordered to change their names, so 10 year-old Sun-Hee became Keoko, and her brother Tae-yul became Nobuo.This moving, deeply layered story is about the way the two siblings struggle to maintain their identity and dignity and, in very different ways, manage to honor their family history and culture.

The Firekeeper's Son, by Linda Sue Park, illus. by Julie Downing (Clarion, 2004). In this historical fiction, each evening a firekeeper in a small Korean village climbs up to the top of a mountain and lights a signal. The smoke from his fire then makes the next firekeeper light his, and the system works its course all the way to the palace: a sign that all was well and no danger was in sight. One day when the firekeeper falls ill, his son is sent to do the job, but the boy's deep desire to see Korean soldiers up close makes him consider not lighting it. This moving story is sure to seduce and inform young minds.

Peacebound Trains, by Haemi Balgassi, illus. by Chris K. Soentpiet (Clarion, 2000). Inspired by the author's family experiences of riding on the rooftop of a train to escape Korea at the last moment before the Japanese invasion. With poetic language and paintings, Peacebound Trains evokes the landscape and people of Korea, and a special grandmother-granddaughter relationship. A must for young readers' libraries.

Tae's Sonata, by Haemi Balgassi (Clarion, 1997) inspired by the author's own middle school years, the main character, a 13 year-old Korean American girl is expected to be good at math because it is believed that "all Asians are good at math." A great book to start a conversation about stereotypes and how they can hurt (even good ones!).

My name is Yoon, by Helen Recorvits, illus. by Gabi Swiatkowska (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2003). A Korean child finds herself in a brand-new world where even her name doesn't sound or look the same as it did before. Told in her own voice, Yoon's story is about discovering that no matter how you say or spell a name, who you are inside is what really matters in the end.

A Suitcase of Seaweed, Janet Wong (Margaret K. McKelderry, 1996) . Born in America of Korean and Chinese heritage, Janet Wong's poetry reflects both cultures (and their differences), as well as her experience of being American. A truly multicultural treat.

The Trip Back Home, by Janet Wong, illustrated by Bo Jia (Harcourt Children's Books, 2000). A little four-year old takes a trip to Korea to visit the village where her mother grew up. Whereas the gifts the young girl insists on choosing to bring to her Korean relatives turn out to be rather useless, she learns that there's still a lot they can give each other as a family. In the author's own words: "This is a book about the gifts we give and the gifts we receive every day, in our own personal journeys that define home". This book was the winner of the 1998-2000 Asian Pacific American Award for Literature (APAAL).

*Aline Pereira is PaperTigers.org producer

Posted November 2005