Where's Halmoni?: A Korean Children's Book (Halmoni & Family)

I read Julie Kim’s picture book-slash-graphic novel Where’s Halmoni? a couple of years ago, and every now and again I’ll remember it and feel so glad (not warm and fuzzy glad, but “that was a fantastic book! UGH, so much talent!” glad). It’s a super fun, vivid journey through a portal and into a world of magic, and it’s a great bridge read during that age when picture books are still preferred by kids, but not by parents. In this delightful book, siblings Joon and Noona are trying to find their Halmoni (grandmother), who is missing. Halmoni may also be more than she seems! Though the concept is simple, Kim keeps the story interesting with some unexpected reveals and a journey through a magical land. Included along with the quest of finding a lost person are games of charades, rock, paper scissors, outwitting the enemy, and escaping just in time. Children and adults alike will delight in turning the page to see what Joon and Noona will come across next. The highlight, of course, is Kim’s art: lush, vivid, detailed, symmetrical, and aesthetically pleasing. The illustrations and text are tightly interwoven – and the stylized landscapes on each page will be familiar to anyone who has seen an example of Asian art or handicrafts. And as the journey the children take introduces them to creatures from Korean folktales (including deals, trickster creatures, the mandate to feed those you come across, and mystical old ladies!), the setting fits. It’s a beautifully produced book, with no dust jacket but an embossed cover, and it’ll be a title to keep in collections for many re-reads. The story begins on the endpapers and ends on the endpapers – with lots of hidden details that will delight readers of all ages upon re-reads. It’s picture heavy, with fewer words – somewhere halfway between being a picture book and graphic novel. Where’s Halmoni? would fit in teaching units on mythology, with its lovingly-detailed illustrations and connections to traditional legends. Where’s Halmoni? will be a favorite with anyone who likes animals and unexpected twists, and independent readers ages 6 and up. Recommended for: young readers who like their books with pictures in, and anyone interested in fairy tale and mythology retellings in illustrated formats.

It's like Chronicles of Narnia in comic book form but with Korean folktale characters and traditional art. I'm very much like the kids in the book where I can sort of understand Korean but sort of not. So the story was very relatable. The end of the book has the translations of the Korean words and the cultural relevance of the characters, which is very helpful! And this book actually STARTS from the inside front cover and ends with the inside back cover. One of the coolest uses of the inside jacket covers I've ever seen. The art work is beautiful and this book is something I will very much enjoy reading with my sons to get them introduced to Korean culture. Even though I'm of Korean heritage, my parents didn't teach me any Korean folk stories or celebrations. I'm very glad for books like this that can teach my whole family about our heritage.

Very fun read! My daughter loves the graphics and the story was cute. We also enjoyed the bits of Korean language. Would recommend.

This book is great! My parents immigrated from South Korea and I was born here. I am bilingual but my Korean very basic. My husband and kids do not really speak Korean, just a few words here and there. This book really represents who we as a family are and it is the first time a book does that! It’s beautifully illustrated. Every time we read it, we discover new details in the illustrations and it illuminates our understanding of the story. It is a bit laborious to get through the first time because of the two languages, the fact that it’s more of a graphic novel format than a story book and it’s lengthy. But every read is more enjoyable than the last esp because there are a lot of little Easter eggs sprinkled throughout. There is a one star review on here I want to address. The individual states that they cannot comprehend how a rabbit can speak Korean but not English but can understand English seemingly perfectly. I know a lot of people like this: people who cannot really speak a language but can understand a lot of it. That was my parents for a long time. They also say they can’t understand how kids only speak English but sort of understand Korean. Well, that’s my brother and daughter in a nutshell. We grew up speaking and hearing both languages but all of us aren’t fluent in both—it’s a very normal experience for anyone who’s parents are immigrants from a non-English speaking country. Just because things aren’t always binary don’t make them illogical or impossible. Also, there’s something called suspension of disbelief and it’s a great to practice especially if you’re going to read a piece of fiction.

As native South Korean, I had stayed in America with my kid for one year. As first grader, parents should to to school and need to read some English books in front of class. The teacher encouraged me to read multi-cultural books to give broad experiences to class. At first semester, I brought the book named "Gangariddong" which is best selling book in South Korea,, However, that book was mono tone and based on 1950's just after Korean war. which may give some impression to class we are from really really poor country. :( Also American kids didn't like that story at all. The main theme about devotion might not acceptable for 1st grader.. Even one kiddo shout me "Why this is So Booooring!!!". Next semester I brought this "Where is Halmoni?" and this was super success. This book is based some Korean fairy-tales in very clever way. Drawing was super vivid and creative. I brought bamboo back scratcher which was mentioned inside book, and asked kids to try. Kids are super into it. Korean folks story of magic wardrobe and nine tale fox were super interesting to American kids... At the ending, kids are asking me where they can buy this book...lOl! Highly I recommend any Korean family in English culture to have this book... so perfect to show Korean culture . Very Interesting to adults and non-Korean cultured people too.

My preschooler loves this book. The illustrations are stunning and the story is engaging for him. My son couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful pictures from the beginning to the end of the story. When I ordered the book, I was expecting to read a translated Korean folklore in English with illustrations. Instead, this book was about introducing the most common animal characters in Korean folklores that I grew up with in Korea. One of my favorite parts of the book beside the beautiful pictures was the usage of mixed Korean and English words. I am happy to find a book that can teach my child a piece of Korean culture in such an engaging way. After my first purchase, I bought more copies for my son's friends for birthday presents. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Korean culture or simply wants to enjoy gorgeous illustrations. I look forward to seeing this author's next book.

This book is an absolute gem! My husband and daughter both have Halmonis who live very far away from us. We have had little interaction due to distance, which was only made worse by the pandemic. This book has given us a way to feel the magic of visiting Halmoni’s house night after night in a fantastical adventure. My daughter is almost five and this is her favorite book by far, it is requested each night. The illustrations throughout are breathtakingly gorgeous. Filled with vibrantly saturated colors, picturesque landscapes, and uniquely relatable characters, this book hits every note. The story begins as soon as the book is opened on the end pages, before you even reach the title page. The book itself is a journey to piece together. I quite enjoy how easy this book is to read through. It is simple enough to flip through with not too many words, yet I feel there is always something interesting to spark a conversation or get our minds going. Between playing I-Spy for hidden treasures and hints inside illustrations, translating, learning about Korean folklore, and learning new ways to play familiar games, there is surely always something here to spark our imaginations.

My kids were captivated by the story. They thought the Korean was funny and they learned some phrases. I loved the artwork, and the animal characters jogged my memories of hearing stories about them. My kid asked why the fox has so many tails. Now I need to find out. I did withhold one star, because the readability could be better. Several pages are awkward and choppy when read aloud. But that said, the story, characters, and artwork are still great.

A lovely book, especially for kids with Korean heritage who might be a little unaware of the classic Korean folktales. Well recommended.

The author is brilliant and so talented to write such an interesting story with vivid and absolutely beautiful and fun illustrations! My kids borrowed it from the library, and after reading it once, we all fell in love with the story and had to purchase it. Kids loved finding the clues that are scattered throughout the story in form of pictures that are so naturally woven together and leads to a surprise reveal indirectly if you notice those clues. My kids enjoyed reading it from 5 to even 10 years old. Great way to bridge different reading levels and to Korean folktales and culture. Strongly recommend.

I love this book so much! it's hilarious and fantastical!

Such a great book. My kids are 2 and 4 years old they are born in Canada. This book I found at the library,kids couldn't let it go. I bought one more book for my friend's daughter who also 2nd korean generation. Love it!!!!

Bought for a friend whose a Halmoni. She loved it and so did her grandkids