Lady Hahn and Her Seven Friends

February 20, 2012
The question “Which is the greatest of all?” is oft-pondered in folklore, and it takes center stage in this retelling of a Korean tale. Seamstress Lady Hahn and her special sewing tools—aka her seven friends—work in concert to craft fine shirts and skirts. But who among the eight is most essential to the operation?
Is it Mrs. Ruler, who measures the silk? Old Lady Thimble, who takes care of Lady Hahn’s thumb? The friends make their cases for why they are most important (“Ho, ho, ho! Poor Needle,” boasts Young Bride Red Thread. “Without my thread you cannot accomplish anything”), breaking up the team and throwing Lady Hahn’s business into disarray. But harmony is soon restored, with Lady Hahn gaining a new appreciation for her friends. Heo’s (Polka Dot Penguin Pottery) cheerfully hued oil-and-pencil compositions possess the careful detail of an expertly stitched garment, with tiny shapes and patterns arranged just so. Her humorous personifications of the sewing implements amplify the playful fantasy elements of the story and the feisty personalities of its protagonists. Ages 4–7.

February 1, 2012
A Korean story from the late 19th century is the basis for this irresistible teaching tale about cooperation, respect for tools and sewing. The first page will captivate young readers and listeners at once: "Long, long ago when tigers still smoked pipes..." The seamstress Lady Hahn's seven friends are Mrs. Ruler, Newlywed Scissors, Young Bride Needle, Young Bride Red Thread, Old Lady Thimble, Young Lady Flatiron and Little Miss Iron. Each of the tools insists that she is the most important of all: Mrs. Ruler, because she can measure accurately; Old Lady Thimble, because she protects Lady Hahn's thumb; and so on. Lady Hahn herself retires for a nap after reminding her friends that nothing happens without her hands. The seven go off in high dudgeon to hide, and Lady Hahn, upon awakening, finds she can do nothing without them. They return the next morning, softened by Lady Hahn's tears, and all is well. Heo's oil and pencil on thick paper make geometric shapes and sweet patterns. Each figure has her own hairstyle, costume and expression, and their body shapes reflect their capacities. Lady Hahn herself has a wonderful crown of braids, an orange silk shirt and a black patterned skirt. Delicate but strong imagery and a lighthearted touch with pattern and placement make the art of sewing and good cooperation quite enough to make a story. (Picture book. 4-7)

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March 1, 2012

K-Gr 2-Lady Hahn is a tailor who relies on her seven personified sewing tools-Mrs. Ruler, Newlywed Scissors, Young Bride Needle, Young Bride Red Thread, Old Lady Thimble, and Young Lady Flatiron-to get her work done. One day the tools get into a boasting match, with each one claiming to be the most important. Lady Hahn overhears them and becomes angry since they would all by useless without her hands. Their feelings are hurt and they hide. Without them, Lady Hahn is unable to accomplish anything. After she begs them to return and acknowledges that they are all equally important, harmony is returned. The story, based on a late 19th-century classical Korean essay, is rather pedantic, and even children who are familiar with sewing won't recognize all the tools portrayed. However, the flat storytelling is counteracted by accomplished illustrations. Heo's clear oil and pencil art is appealing, with skillful use of color to balance the compositions and engage viewers. Traditional Koran shapes and patterns are woven throughout each spread without becoming overwhelming or busy. Larger libraries with robust multicultural collections or those serving Korean populations should consider this title, but for most it will be an additional purchase.-Anna Haase Krueger, Antigo Public Library, WI

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2012
Grades K-3 According to an author's note, Heo's picture book derives from a nineteenth-century classical Korean story. Long ago, when tigers still smoked pipes, a seamstress named Lady Hahn had seven friends: Mrs. Ruler, Newlywed Scissors, Young Bride Needle, Young Bride Red Thread, Old Lady Thimble, Young Lady Flatiron, and Little Miss Iron. In turn, each of the seven friends argues their worth: Mrs. Ruler, for example, boasts, I tell her how long and how wide the silk for her shirts should be. I am the most important. Finally, Lady Hahn, who has heard the argument, exclaims, Without my hands, none of you could do your jobs well. The disgruntled seven flee the sewing box, only for Lady Hahn to realize that it takes all eight of them to sew happily together. Heo's signature oil-and-pencil collages swirl on the page and capture the essence of each of these quirky characters, including Mrs. Ruler's flat head. A good choice for storytime, this nonpreachy, culturally rich story reminds kids to value one another's unique strengths and gifts.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)