Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Yoomi, a small black and white cat, enjoys most of her grandmother's cooking-"dried seaweed, tiny anchovies, soft egg omelets... even her seasoned bean sprouts"-with one exception: "Yoomi does not like stinky spicy kimchi!" Older brothers Jun and Yoon label Yoomi a baby and freeze her out of playing with them; Yoomi takes matters into her own paws, trying dollops of kimchi atop pizza and ice cream, but Grandma swoops in with a better idea: a not-too-spicy kimchi pancake. Using pencil, pastel, and digital manipulation, Kim (Cat on the Bus) creates a crisp and cozy domestic environment for her cat family; the story takes place against the backdrop of a rainy day, perhaps accounting for some of the high-running emotions. Yoomi's brothers' taunts and the specificity of her food aversion will be familiar to many readers (especially younger siblings), as will Yoomi's drive to prove that she's the "big girl" Grandma knows her to be. A kimchi pancake recipe is included, as are delectable endpapers showcasing kimchi varieties and ingredients. Ages 3-7. Agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary Studio. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Yoomi's big brothers say she's a baby, and they won't play with her because doesn't like her grandmother's spicy kimchi. Yoomi is determined to prove them wrong, but she just can't handle the fermented cabbage's strong, spicy flavor-until Grandmother steps in to help. Greta Jung narrates the tale with a fresh, youthful voice that well matches the story's characters. Some of the text relies on author/illustrator Kim's illustrations for context, so it is best listened to while following along with the picture book. The brief afterword about kimchi and the subsequent recipe are also read aloud. Track two includes well-paced page-turn signals. VERDICT This bite-sized story celebrating Korean culture is perfect for very young readers and could even serve as basic bibliotherapy for picky eaters.-Jennifer Verbrugge, State Library Services, Roseville, MN © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Cat Yoomi hates the taste and smell of spicy kimchi, and her big brothers tease her for being a baby. Then Grandma comes up with a delicious way to serve the dish to her granddaughter. The simply worded story features beautifully detailed illustrations of Korean dishes, including kimchi. A recipe for making kimchi pancakes is appended. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young Korean girl finds a way to enjoy a traditional dish.Yoomi, her brothers, and their grandmother are anthropomorphic cats. On a rainy day, Grandma calls the children down for lunch. Yoomi likes most foods that Grandma prepares, but she just doesn't care for kimchi. Her older siblings use this against her, calling her a "baby" and excluding her from their after-lunch activities. Yoomi tries on her own to find a combination of foods that will make the spicy, fermented dish palatable, but cookies, pizza, and ice cream don't do the trick. Grandma's solution is to prepare a (savory) kimchi pancake; the author's mother's recipe for this delicacy is appended. Kim's straightforward text conveys the actions and reactions of her characters clearly. The illustrations, created with pencil, colored pencils, and pastels on paper, then assembled digitally, vary in size and placement, adding interest and flow to the story. Distinctive patterns, unusual perspectives, and intriguing details add to their appeal. While the featured food may be unfamiliar to some listeners, the family dynamics will ring true. The final page, complete with a rainbow, may cast a more rosy than realistic light on the resolution of typical sibling squabbles, but readers, like Yoomi, will appreciate this minor triumph. This brisk, bright family story effectively conveys a universal experience through a very specific cultural lens. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
