IBBY Silent books 2019 Part Four

 한국의 조용한 그림책

Silent Picture Books from Korea

I was curious to discover more about the books from Korea selected for the IBBY Silent book collection because they have nine titles. Italy also have nine titles. 

Kim Jungmin, Happy backpack, Book Good Come, Seoul, 2018

해피 백팩

A boy is going home after school. For some reason, his backpack feels heavy today. It's so heavy he can’t carry it. The boy tries to get rid of his bag using a gigantic balloon, but the balloon pops. Then the boy throws his bag in the trash, but the backpack won’t stop following him around! How will he get away? 

Lee Seou, Cracks, Book Good Come, Seoul, 2018

균열

The South Pole is a world of snow and ice where emperor penguins live.  One day, an emperor penguin chick was left all alone. What will become of the penguin out in the middle of the vast ocean? Cracks is a textless picture book that illuminates the value of life and the environment through the adventure of a penguin chick. This is an original and brilliant story. Cracks won the 2017 Creative Illustrated Books Challenge co-administered by NAVER Grafolio and Wow Book Culture and Art Center.

Kyung Sik Choi, A blue fountain, Sakyejul Publishing, Paju-si, 2016

푸른 분수

Cool blue imaginations elongated from old fountains are common in apartments or parks around the fountain. When the water flows out during the summer season, the fountain becomes a playground in the blink of an eye. But when the water stops, interest in the fountain disappears. Seeing an old fountain without a drop of water, the artist leads us to a cool imagination. The powerful imagination gives a thrilling sense of freedom. It is a picture book that makes you feel like you have been playing with a splash of water in a fountain.

See some art from this book here. The trailer shows the power of this story.

Noh In-Kyung Breathing, Munhakdonge Publishing Group, Paju-si, 2018

호흡

Here is a review of Breathing (you will need to select translate). Here is a YouTube trailer for this book which some translators call Breath.

The 'breath' is not only a miracle and a mystery given to us, it becomes a world in itself. The breath bubbles that the child exhales take on various forms of life and fill the screen. A space that is mysterious, beautiful, and constantly changing dynamics. This is the world that Nyeong-gyeong wants to give to his child and the world he wants to make.

Jin-ho jung, Stars and me, Bir publishing, Seoul, 2017

The animated trailer is very special

“Stars and Me,” contains a vivid contrast of the night sky when the bicycle light is on and off. The protagonist, who is forced to run with the lamp off due to the breakdown of the lamp, is fascinated by the beautiful starlight in the dark night sky. And sooner or later you realize that you can run without a bicycle light in the beautiful starlight. The artist encourages us to slightly twist our gazes and actions that we take for granted in our daily lives ... "

Suzy Lee, Lines, Bir publishing, Seoul, 2017

Here is the ISBN for the English edition of this book: 9781452156651

A lone skater gracefully dances across these snow white pages leaving lines in their wake. The figure twirls and glides happily, until they suffer a stumble, prompting the penciller to scrap everything. But this action leads to a new idea, and in slides another skater, and another… The once-white pages become a pencil-smudged rink, with many skaters etching their lines into its surface. Pencil crayons (used in the winter gear) add a lovely splash of colour to the different grey tones produced by the pencils. While the book is completely wordless, the lines themselves, in their loops and swirls give the impression of a musical sound, dictating our pace and our feelings towards this story. Lee’s work is an absolutely elegant study in line, space, movement, and form, and it’s one of the most beautiful picture books out there right now. Good Reads review - Rachel

Jo A-ra, Do you hear my mind, Hansol Soobook Pubnlishing, Seoul, 2017

내 분 들리니

There is a child who walks deeply in thought with heavy steps, a story of healing wounds and loneliness through'life and art are one' music . When a child arrives at school, he or she is bullied by large children, and the child's school life is lonely. A bird flies over the head of a child sitting on the playground. It becomes a leaky note and begins to comfort the child. The music gradually reaches its peak, and the child's gestures become louder and more colourful. The cats and mice seen from the first scene are what makes the child's reality come back. The birds also return to their place and the child returns to their normal routine, but how has the child's inner life changed?

Beck Ji-won, I meet you, Bombom publishing, Seoul, 2017

난 당신을 만나고

This book has been translated into English. It now has the title Lost and Found.

Here is the blurb from Book Depository: In the snowy Alaskan landscape, a young indigenous girl crosses paths with a weak and hungry polar bear. But rather than retreating in fear, she chooses to approach the bear with tenderness by giving him all that she has to offer, a blanket and fish from her morning excursion. And although the girl's blanket is too small and the gesture is large. After feeling nourished and refreshed, the two new friends head out to play and frolic in the snow. When a snowstorm hits, the bear has a chance to return the girl's kindness and safely shepherds her home. Before each reunites with their parent they share one last embrace - creating a lifelong memory of their unique bond born of mutual respect and open hearts.

Regina Park, It's you, Gloyeon, Seoul, 2018

너야

Read more about this book and see inside here.

Unless specified differently, the blurbs quoted in this post come from YES24.com.