Magic spring

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Retelling a traditional Korean story, Rhee introduces a wealthy but greedy man who taunts his hard-working, elderly neighbors because they do not have a child. One day the couple discovers a miraculous spring, and a single sip from it restores them to the prime of youth. The greedy man, however, drinks up every magic drop--and regresses to infancy, whereupon the childless couple happily adopts him. First-time author Rhee skillfully employs the narrative arts of a traditional storyteller, including a leisurely exposition, judiciously chosen dialogue and vivid descriptions of the pastoral setting. Youngsters will also be intrigued by the Korean calligraphy that runs alongside each block of text. Rhee's Korean-style ink-and-watercolor art portrays the springtime landscape in soft blues and greens, while her fluid brushstroke outlines lend the art a traditional grace and the characters an unusual expressivity. Ages 4-8. (May)

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-- A devoted old couple leads a poor and difficult life until the husband finds a magic spring in the forest. One gulp turns him into a young man again. The wife also partakes, and the two now plan a new future with renewed youth and vigor. Their rich and greedy old neighbor, who hitherto had only needled them about their childlessness and poverty, learns of their secret and sets off to find the magic spring. When he fails to return, the couple go to it, only to find that, in his greed, their neighbor has imbibed far too much and has consequently become an infant. Overjoyed at this bit of serendipity, the pair raise him as their own and all live happily ever after. Rhee's retelling is straightforward, interesting, and filled with imagery that is echoed in the primitive, folksy illustrations in greens, blues, and earth tones. Bits and phrases drawn from the story are transcribed in Hangul (Korean script) to form borders on each page. While by no means a complete Korean text, this is aesthetically pleasing and contributes to the unity and feeling of authenticity of the whole. The simple charm of text and illustrations and the genial comeuppance of the ``villain'' will insure its popularity. --John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library

Carolyn Phelan

Happy except that they long for a child, an elderly couple live in poverty next door to a wealthy, disdainful neighbor. When the man and his wife suddenly regain their youth, the neighbor begs to know how they did it. He learns that each has drunk a sip from a magical spring. Soon the unpleasant fellow finds the spring and greedily drinks his fill. When the old couple go out to search for him, they find their heart's desire--a baby, which they raise as their own. Children will enjoy watching the neighbor's predictable downfall turn into a happy ending. Rhee's expressive ink-and-watercolor illustrations suit the story well. Retelling a Korean folktale remembered from her childhood in Seoul, she creates a satisfying picture book.