The Trip Back Home

These are the gifts brought across the ocean to Korea: Leather gloves. An apron with pockets like flowers. A book with pictures and simple words. What is given in return? Simple gifts like these—and so much more.
Janet S. Wong invites us to join her on the trip back home, revealing that even when family members speak different languages, there is still much they can share.

Janet S. Wong was born in Los Angeles to a Korean mother and a Chinese father. An award-winning author of picture books and poetry for young readers, she lives in Hopewell, New Jersey.

Bo Jia studied painting in China, where he was born and raised. He emigrated to the United States in 1989 and now lives in Washington, D.C., where he works as a designer, painter, and illustrator.

A young girl and her mother travel to Korea to visit their extended family.

A Korean American child visits her mother's homeland--and discovers that family love is universal.

These are the gifts brought across the ocean to Korea: Leather gloves. An apron with pockets like flowers. A book with pictures and simple words. What is given in return? Simple gifts like these--and so much more.

Janet S. Wong invites us to join her on the trip back home, revealing that even when family members speak different languages, there is still much they can share.

About the Authors:

Janet S. Wong was born in Los Angeles to a Korean mother and a Chinese father. An award-winning author of picture books and poetry for young readers, she lives in Medina, Washington.

Bo Jia studied painting in China, where he was born and raised. He emigrated to the United States in 1989 and now lives in Washington, D.C., where he works as a designer, painter, and illustrator.

Parent Council Reviews

In this beautiful multicultural tale, a young Asian American girl visits her ancestors in a Korean village. The rich illustrations add greatly to the story, but the best aspect of this book is the respectful manner in which a completely foreign culture is treated throughout. 2000, Harcourt Brace & Company, $16.00. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: A. Braga SOURCE: Parent Council Volume 8

Janet S. Wong was born in Los Angeles to a Korean mother and a Chinese father. An award-winning author of picture books and poetry for young readers, she lives in Hopewell, New Jersey.

Bo Jia studied painting in China, where he was born and raised. He emigrated to the United States in 1989 and now lives in Washington, D.C., where he works as a designer, painter, and illustrator.