Hazel and Twig The birthday fortune

Brenna Burns Yu

Book - 2018

Twig's first birthday is coming up, and her whole family -- especially her older sister, Hazel -- is eager to see what she will choose at her doljabi. Whatever item Twig chooses will tell her fortune: Will she pick a hammer and grow up to be a builder? Will she pick a lute and grow up to be a musician? Hazel is hoping that Twig will choose the yarn, just like she did when she was Twig's age. When the big day arrives and Twig makes an unexpected choice, will Hazel be able to help figure out what the future might hold for her little sister? Sweet, serious Hazel and the adorable Twig are certain to win the hearts of readers, who will long to enter their cozy woodland world.

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Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press 2018.
Language
English
Main Author
Brenna Burns Yu (author)
Edition
First edition
Physical Description
1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 20 x 24 cm
Audience
Ages 4-7.
ISBN
9780763689704
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

In Yu's tender and sunny debut, tiny mouse sisters Hazel and Twig playfully showcase their dreamy woodland home and their loving family as they prepare for Twig's first birthday and the Korean tradition that marks milestone. From sending invitations and picking flowers to making dandelion kimchi, Hazel leads Twig into full party-planning mode for the special day. Hazel explains the festivities will include a doljabi, or "fortune telling ceremony": "We'll put out lots of things, like a lute and a ball of yarn and some toasted thistle seeds. Then you'll go pick one-only one, OK?" The item selected by the guest of honor is a predictor of her future: a lute signals becoming a musician; the yarn means a really long life. When Twig's big moment finally arrives, she surprises everyone with an unusual choice-a feather-and Hazel reveals why it's perfect. Yu's watercolor-and-ink compositions are delicate, imbued with a soft palette of varying shades of green, blue, and brown. Her sweet-faced characters are a joyful mix of gentleness and irrepressibility, a truly irresistible blend. Ages 3-7. Agent: Linda Camacho, Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.


Review by Horn Book Review

Two small mouse sisters with big ears, skinny legs, skinnier tails, and very nice taste in frocks celebrate the Korean tradition of doljabi. On her first birthday a child is presented with a free choice among symbolic objects. If the baby grabs the book, shes a scholar in the making. A stethoscope? Medicine is in her future. In this case, younger sister Twig, encouraged by her adored older sister Hazel and surrounded by the extended family, toddles toward the choices, paw outstretched. Then she pauses. With the page-turn, the story takes an unexpected direction that in retrospect feels exactly right. By translating the doljabi tradition to mouseworld, Yu adds an extra measure of gentle humor (postal service is by mail snail), and the allure of the miniature (a kite that flies as high as Queen Annes lace). The meanings of Korean words (hanbok, dol) are clear from context and from the delicate and lively ink and watercolor illustrations, but a brief glossary is appended for those who need confirmation. A fresh take on the birthday theme and an opportunity to diversify picture-book offerings to include Korean culture (mouse culture is already amply represented in most picture-book collections), this tale is a welcome and genial addition. sarah ellis (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

The delightful Korean tradition of doljabi, which tells the fortune of a child on their first birthday, is brought to life by two delicate woodland creatures.In an enchanting debut, Yu illustrates the special tradition of a Korean baby's first birthday. For mouse baby Twig's doljabi celebration, items representing possible futures are carefully placed on a mat. What will she choose for her fortune? A book forecasts a scholar, a hammer predicts a builder, seeds represent plenty, a ball of yarn anticipates long life. Via the pen-and-watercolor illustrations, warmth and eagerness infuse the pages of this mouse-sized world. Older sister Hazel shows genuine affection and curiosity for Twig's future. Domestic bliss pours from the pages as the extended family prepares for the festivities, making dandelion kimchi, capturing fireflies for lanterns, and laying out the beautiful hanbok to be worn at the party. The anticipation leads to a twist in the fortune that only time will tell. Although this story is girl-focused, other children will also enjoy the first-birthday fortunetelling. The animal characters allow ample room for self-identity, including adoptive and mixed-race families. The story itself does not include the word "Korean" at all, assuming readers will understand the context. A short Korean glossary is included in the endnotes.With very few picture books covering this beloved tradition, this book fills a need--and it will have readers of many cultures craving their own doljabi ceremonies. (Picture book. 3-8)

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.