MY GRANDMOM

Author/illustrator Lee draws on childhood experiences in this South Korean import about a girl who gains a greater appreciation for her grandma.

Gee-eun, a Korean child, is introduced seeking comfort in her grandma’s arms as her mother leaves for work. Softly textured lines and colors are blended and smudged to invoke a sense of intimacy as Grandma, or Halmoni, distracts Gee-eun by making knife-cut noodles together. As they slurp the well-earned meal of kalguksu, they talk about how Halmoni raised Gee-eun’s mother when she was younger. The forthright, poignant narrative reveals that Gee-eun is worried about who will accompany her to the upcoming Family Sports Day in her parents’ absence. Halmoni answers in stride, telling stories of her athleticism and the nicknames she earned for her prowess. On the big day, children and their parents run in curved streaks of color across the pages as Halmoni and Gee-eun participate in the first race. “Halmoni, fast! Faster! Even Faster!” Yet Halmoni falls, and Gee-eun begins to sob. The disappointed pair walk through different neighborhoods in Korea that are saturated in warm colors, vivid shapes, and images as Halmoni offers a curry bun to Gee-eun to cheer her up. When they arrive home and Halmoni prepares a feast for the entire family, the experience is cemented as a fond memory. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A touching tale that exudes love and warmth.