Korean Celebrations

August 1, 2019

Gr 3-6-Colorful, informative, and engaging, this new title delivers brief descriptions of major festivals, holidays, and traditions rooted in Korean culture. Cho's implicit focus is what and how South Koreans celebrate. Differences in North Korean holidays and celebratory customs are not addressed. The South Korean national anthem, flag, and Liberation Day (celebrating the end of Japanese rule and the new Republic of South Korea) are included. Presented in chronological order with English and Korean headings, a rich assortment of cultural, lunar calendar, farming, and historic holidays and traditions are explained in conversational text accompanied by illustrations. Traditional dress, birthday and wedding customs, importance of ancestors and family, and several popular local festivals are described. In addition, simple, practical instructions are given for fun activities: games, Yut-nori at New Year, or Seollal; crafts, folding a carnation on Parent's Day, or Ubbai-nal; and recipes, making half-moon rice cakes on Thanksgiving Day, or Chuseok. The Korean language and writing system are celebrated on Hangeul Day in October. Vibrant watercolors enhance and enrich the crisp black and red text. Page layouts are attractively arranged and spaced for young readers. However, the absence of a table of contents and index limits quick access to specific holidays and topics. VERDICT This charming introductory resource will inform and motivate elementary readers to participate in and learn more about South Korean culture.-Gerry Larson, formerly at Durham Public Schools, NC

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