10 Picture Books Celebrating Korean Culture

Please welcome my guest blogger today, author and illustrator Aram Kim! Her newest book, No Kimchi for Me! is something that I can relate to as this is exactly how my oldest daughter, now 17, learned to love kimchi!

No Kimchi for Me! by Aram Kim

Yoomi hates stinky, spicy kimchi―the pickled cabbage condiment served at Korean meals. So her brothers call her a baby and refuse to play with her. Yoomi is determined to eat kimchi. She tries to disguise it by eating it on a cookie, on pizza, and in ice cream. But that doesn’t work. Then Grandma shows Yoomi how to make kimchi pancakes.

This story about family, food, and a six-year-old “coming of age” has universal themes, and at the same time celebrates Korean culture. A kimchi pancake recipe and other back matter are included. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

As for me, I’m half Japanese and half Chinese American but I married a Korean American. I was introduced to Korean food in college, including kimchi which I really enjoy, to the great amusement of my Korean mother-in-law!

Aram has created a picture book list for anyone who wants to celebrate or learn about Korean culture. I was thrilled that there are actually ten picture books on this topic!

Aram and I are giving away 3 SIGNED copies of No Kimchi for Me! Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.

p.s. One more …

Good Fortune in a Wrapping Cloth by Joan Schoettler, illustrated by Jessica Lanan

Fans of Linda Sue Park’s historical fiction of ancient Korea — A Single Shard, The Kite Fighters, and Seesaw Girl — will enjoy this picture book about the Korean royal court. To be reunited with her mother who has been chosen to sew for the Korean king, Ji-Su decides she must also be chosen to be a seamstress for the royal court. Will her work be good enough to impress the Sanguiwon master? [advanced picture book, ages 5 and up]

p.p.s. I have a few Korean American book lists here:

Top 10 Korean American Books for Kids

15 Great Korean Folk Tales for Kids

10 Wonderful Picture Books Celebrating Korean Culture

1. My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska

The story shows how a little Korean girl who moved to America slowly and gradually opened up and embraced her new home. Narrated by the little girl Yoon, readers can see how she sees and feels the world around her. Gorgeous, and somewhat surreal illustrations are icing on the cake. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

2. Juna’s Jar by Jane Bahk, illustrated by Felicia Hoshino

Very sweet and charming story of a girl who deals with her best friend’s sudden departure by going on various imaginary adventures. Soft and beautiful illustrations accompany the text seamlessly. Very heartwarming and satisfying ending. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

3. Twin’s Blankets by Hyewon Yum

Nowhere in the story does it say these two adorable twin girls are Korean. Hyewon Yum just very naturally and masterfully lets the beautiful Korean traditional patterns and colors melt into this universal sibling story. Two twin girls narrate the story, and you will be amazed by how perfectly this author understands the children’s world. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

4. Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee

A simple story of a girl helping her mom make supper – bee-bim bop! – is cheerful and joyous. Linda Sue Park’s song-like text would roll off your tongue, and you might find yourself dancing to the rhythm. Illustrations without much adult presence make you feel like you are looking from the girl’s point of view. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

5. A Piece of Home by Jeri Watts, illustrated by Hyewon Yum

It’s not only kids who have a hard time adjusting to a new environment. This warm and delicate story of a three-generation family moving to West Virginia from South Korea depicts the struggles of a grandma, a boy, and a baby girl. It also shows how people around are willing to help and how it makes the transition a little easier. A very warm and sensitive story accompanied by Yum’s beautiful and charming illustrations is highly recommendable for any family who experiences a drastic transition, whatever the kind.

6. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Calling each other’s names and remembering them mean a lot to everybody, especially children. I’ve seen a constant struggle Korean people have when they move to the U.S. because of their hard-to-pronounce-for-Americans names. Name Jar very smartly and sweetly shows how a Korean girl deals with this issue and solves it with her sweet friends’ support and help. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

7. Dear Juno by Soyoung Pak, illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung

Sometimes immigration means not being able to communicate with your grandmother or grandson because it builds a language barrier. Living in a different country, often, a new generation doesn’t learn their ancestor’s language. But in this warm story, Juno who resides in the U.S. and his grandma who lives in Korea communicate in their own way – by sending photos, flowers, and pictures. They understand each other perfectly even though they don’t write in the same language. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

8. New Cat by Yangsook Choi

Mr. Kim found New Cat at an animal shelter when he came to America from Korea because he “needed a friend as much as [the cat] had.” New Cat lives in a tofu factory Mr. Kim built ground up, and ends up saving it from the fire caused by a mouse. This story is very sweet and fun, at the same time even suspenseful. An unusual setting, a tofu factory, also adds extra fun. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

9. Sumi’s First Day of School Ever by Soyung Pak, illustrated by Joung Un Kim

Before her first day of school, Sumi’s mom teaches her how to say “My name is Sumi” in English, and they practice. Sumi is nervous, scared, and lonely in a new school. But as the first day goes by, she slowly relaxes, as she finds comfort and friendliness from the teacher and classmates. And she gets to say “My name is Sumi” to her new friend! As the story unfolds, readers feel the tension, and nervousness, then the comfort, relaxation, and happiness along with Sumi. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

10. No Kimchi for Me! by Aram Kim

Yoomi likes Grandma’s Korean food but doesn’t like one thing – stinky spicy kimchi. Her older brothers tease Yoomi because they think only big kids can eat kimchi and Yoomi is a baby. Yoomi tries to prove that she is not a baby by eating kimchi but keeps failing until Grandma steps in to help. Together, they cook a yummy kimchi pancake that everyone can enjoy! [picture book, ages 3 and up]

3 Signed Book GIVEAWAY of No Kimchi for Me by Aram Kim

Aram and I are giving away 3 SIGNED copies of No Kimchi for Me! Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. I can only mail to U.S. addresses or AFO boxes due to the high cost of shipping.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Aram Kim was born in Cincinnati, raised in South Korea, and currently lives in New York City. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York, Aram is the author and illustrator of Cat on the Bus, called a “beautifully designed visual work” by the School Library Journal and included in the ILA Children’s Choices 2017. Aram Kim’s new picture book, No Kimchi For Me!, about family, food, and a six-year-old “coming of age” has universal themes, and at the same time celebrates Korean culture. A Junior Library Guild selection.

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My books:

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

• • • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
    • Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
    • Starred review from School Library Journal
    • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
    • 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
    • Green Earth Book Award longlist
    • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me

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