Review by Booklist Review
Young Keo usually sees Halmoni, his grandma, during the summer, and he's surprised when she comes by one frosty fall day, especially since Halmoni is typically too busy with her many hobbies and interests. Things get even more mysterious when, over the next few days, she buys, cleans, and buries a giant clay jar in the backyard. Finally, Halmoni gathers the family in the kitchen to help prepare lots of cabbage to make her special kimchi. The next morning, Halmoni is gone, much to the disappointment of Keo, who had been looking forward to a treasure from her. About a month later, a call from Halmoni reveals a special surprise in the backyard: kimchi fermented beneath the soil! Based on Korean author and illustrator Choi's relationship with her own grandmother, the story's playful drawings and writing create a fun, lighthearted feel. The gentle pastel illustrations capture Halmoni's quirky personality through her facial expressions and movements, as well as Keo's curiosity and wonder. A pronunciation guide at the beginning and an author's note at the end about the seasonal practice of preparing large batches of kimchi are helpful and informative, guiding the reader gently along this lovely story about family, food, and tradition.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Active grandmother Halmoni interrupts her busy schedule to spend time with her grandchild in this humorous culinary mystery. When Halmoni--a lively "super senior"--arrives to make special kimchi, her grandchild Keo believes that she actually "cared about other things, not me." After telling Keo "you are my treasure," she doesn't seem to make kimchi but instead buys and washes out a giant clay jar, then digs an enormous hole in the backyard, which Keo fears is meant to be Halmoni's grave. One evening, the whole family slices and seasons a hundred heads of cabbage, but Halmoni's gone the next day--and so are the kimchi ingredients. Choi's imaginative Keo offers a well-reasoned foil to the actions of "slippery, spicy, and tingly as kimchi" Halmoni, while acrylic and colored pencil illustrations, finished digitally, depict the family activities in warm hues and imagined fantastical events in blue-green tones. Characters cue as Korean. Includes a pronunciation guide, author's note, and more about kimchi. Ages 5--9. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Keo is surprised when his grandmother shows up one chilly morning. She lives far away and keeps busy with lots of things. But she has a surprise--treasure! She doesn't exactly explain what she's doing with a really big jar and a really big hole in the backyard. Grandma calls the whole family together to make kimchi, but Keo is too sleepy to see what happens next and is surprised when he wakes up the next morning to find Grandma gone and the hole filled in. After a month or so, Keo's mom opens Grandma's treasure and finds kimchi. This is a lovely family story about the sharing of making food together. The warm, friendly artwork is a perfect complement to the story. VERDICT A nice picture book story about a family working together to make food they all enjoy.--Debbie Tanner
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An eccentric grandmother whips up a special treat. Korean American Keo is startled when Halmoni (Grandmother) bursts through the door; she lives far away and typically visits only in the summer. Apparently she's here to spend time with him, but Keo's suspicious: "Behind her smiley face, she could be as slippery, spicy, and tingly as kimchi." Besides, Halmoni has tons of interests--Keo doesn't think she has time for him. Still, his imagination is sparked as Halmoni cleans a gigantic jar. He observes her digging a hole in the backyard and concludes she's preparing her grave. But this "super senior" isn't dead yet; Halmoni cackles and announces that they're making kimchi. Soon after, Halmoni leaves early one morning. Time passes, and Keo digs up the jar to find some delicious kimchi. "Natural storage makes kimchi taste best," as Keo's mother explains. Later, he discovers a note in the jar from Halmoni--proof positive that his grandmother loves him after all. Relying on simple pastel hues and textures, Choi depicts characters with quirky expressions, bringing out Halmoni's personality and portraying Keo's roller coaster of emotions. The phrase "slippery, spicy, and tingly" is repeated throughout, including in the songs Halmoni sings. And though the tale is darkly humorous at times, it's infused with real warmth as Keo realizes the depth of his grandmother's feelings for him. A slippery, spicy tale that tingles with wit and whimsy. (pronunciation guide, author's note, more about kimchi)(Picture book. 5-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
