Review by Booklist Review
Cha's wonderful Halloween story opens in Seoul, Korea, where a pair of super-cute dokkaebi are learning the tricks of their trade. Though twins, the brothers are exact opposites. Doki loves reading and secretly performing acts of kindness. Kebi, on the other hand is happiest when exploring or playing tricks on people. When their home (an abandoned building) is slated for demolition, Kebi and Doki set off for a faraway land where people are rumored to enjoy visiting haunted houses and being scared--New York City! Kim's digital illustrations are adorable, vibrant, and just spooky enough for any haunted storytime. She mixes spot art with full- and double-page spreads that are particularly adept at showing contrasts between Seoul and NYC. As the brothers adapt to their new home just in time for Halloween, they're in for some surprises of their own. A helpful author's note explains the prominence of dokkaebi in Korean mythology, art, and history as well as their dual nature, so perfectly embodied by the twins. A great, not-so-scary pick for little listeners.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
At 601 years old, two goblin twins, considered by other dokkaebi as "babies, and very silly ones, too," are quite different from each other. Orange-hued with a single horn, Doki "did not like scaring people," preferring to offer gifts and to read books. Blue, two-horned Kebi "liked scaring people a bit too much. And he loved to explore," Cha writes. Learning that the abandoned house they live in will soon be demolished, the twins head for a place where people visit haunted houses desiring to be frightened--and land in New York City. Portrayed with intensely saturated color that adds depth and dimensionality, Kim's digital illustrations of the siblings' house-hunt supply movement and humor to their ongoing debates over what kind of new home to choose and how to decorate for Halloween. It all leads to their amusing final reaction to a horde of trick-or-treaters. Based in Korean lore, this read's a treat any day of the year. An author's note concludes. Ages 3--7. (Sept.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--At 601 years old, Doki and Kebi are considered babies to the other dokkaebi, a cross between a goblin and spirit with a penchant for tricking humans. Despite the fact that they are twins, the pair could not be more different. For instance, Doki is averse to frightening people, much preferring to give them gifts of gold or silver and enjoy his three abandoned books. Kebi, meanwhile, arguably adores frightening people a bit too much. After learning that they must leave their home, Kebi resists moving into graveyards with their fellow dokkaebi and insists that they find the most haunted house in New York City. They leave Seoul, searching high and low for the perfect home and eventually find a dwelling that is perfectly suited to both of their tastes. Then they prepare for Halloween. The story's comical conclusion is a frightful delight as the duo participate in the holiday. Cha's writing is excellently paced and entertaining, while the digital illustrations are filled with bright colors and bring the charming characters to life. A concluding author's note describes the prominence of dokkaebi in Korean art, history, and folklore, dating back to 37 BCE. VERDICT. Doki and Kebi will find a home in any collection. Recommended for purchase.--Olivia Gorecke
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Two little dokkaebi ("something of a cross between a spirit and a goblin" per the informative appended note), Doki and Kebi, venture from their home in Korea to "a land where...there are haunted houses, and people go visit them because they WANT to be scared." Scaring humans is one of Kebi's greatest treats, but Doki would rather read books. Their new home is the perfect compromise -- but Halloween brings an unexpected, narratively satisfying twist. Cartoony digital illustrations give the dokkaebi -- shown as colorful, blobby, rosy-cheeked tricksters -- personality and provide funny, scene-setting details. Elissa GershowitzSeptember/October 2023 p.23 (c) Copyright 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 pair of mischievous siblings discover a new world. At 601 years old, Doki and Kebi are considered goofy and immature by the other dokkaebi (Korean goblins). Yet that doesn't hold them back from pursuing their own interests. Doki, who is bright orange with purple hair and one yellow horn, doesn't like to scare people and instead gives them gold or silver, which he magically conjures up with his club. He also loves spending time in the abandoned house where he lives, reading books. Kebi, his blue-skinned, green-haired, two-horned twin, is his opposite. He loves "scaring people a bit too much" as well as exploring. After hearing that their house in Seoul is going to be demolished, Kebi suggests that the two go to New York, where "there are haunted houses, and people go visit them because they WANT to be scared!" After much reflection Doki agrees, and the two are comically portrayed riding in the engine of a plane on its way to America. Cha's narrative is straightforward yet humorous; an author's note offering more information on dokkaebi rounds out the tale. Kim artfully employs dark hues and shadows with spots of bright color to invoke a spooky yet friendly tone, especially when a group of trick-or-treaters ends up giving the endearing dokkaebi a scare of their own. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet, comical Halloween venture for all. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
