Aekyung's Dream

School Library Journal

K-Gr 4-- Aekyung is a shy Korean girl experiencing great difficulty in adjusting to America. She frets about many things, like what language the birds sing and, of course, being called Chinese by her classmates. Interaction with family members prompts Aekyung to dream of King Sejong, Korea's greatest monarch, who admonishes her to ``be strong like a tree with deep roots'' so that her life may blossom like the national flower. And, in time, Aekyung overcomes her tears and fears, learns English, and gains her classmates' respect through her painting skills. Ultimately, she realizes that the birds sing in the languages of all people. This charming tale is told with a naive simplicity that touches the heart, and although all of the trappings are Korean, the experiences belong to any child in an alien land. The illustrations are cheery and colorful and reinforce the text to a remarkable degree. The text itself, in both English and Korean ( hangul ), is hand-lettered and lovely, adding a finishing homey touch to this poignant and highly original story. Aekyung's Dream is a gem that few libraries will want to do without.-- John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library