THE THREE-YEAR TUMBLE

Originally published in Switzerland, this retelling of a Korean folktale follows a grandfather who learns that sometimes a different outlook on life is key.

The old man resides in a tiny village; in order to travel to the market, he must climb a mountain with a peculiar reputation. It’s said that whoever falls while hiking Misfortune Mountain has “only three years left to live. Where in the world this tale had come from, nobody knew.” The grandfather anxiously starts up the mountainside, only for the worst to happen. Startled by a sudden noise, he tumbles down the mountain; he appears unharmed but knows that his days are now numbered. After about three years, the grandfather grows depressed and feels sickly, even though the best doctor insists that there’s nothing wrong with him. Eventually his granddaughter visits and offers some guidance: “If you fall down the mountain again, you’ll live three more years…And if you fall ten more times, you’ll live another thirty years!” Her words bring about an amusing change of attitude. Auh, a muralist, skillfully incorporates various media—acrylic, watercolor, oil pastel, felt-tip marker, and colored pencil—making each page pop with life. The rich landscapes are lavishly textured with strokes, lines, and blots of color, enhancing the upbeat tone of the text.

A bright and lively addition to any folktale shelf.