SLIPPERY, SPICY, TINGLY
Keo loves kimchi — and he loves his halmoni, his grandmother. But when she visits and promises to make special kimchi, Keo isn't so sure. After all, Halmoni can be just as slippery, spicy, and tingly as kimchi itself!
“Humorous culinary mystery.” — Publishers Weekly “Lovely story about family, food, and tradition.” — Booklist *Starred “A slippery, spicy tale that tingles with wit and whimsy.” — Kirkus Reviews “A lovely family story about the sharing of making food together.” — School Library Journal
A LETTER TO MY BEST FRIEND
Fueled by memories of home, Jihun crafts a creative letter to his best friend, who can't read. The result is extraordinary — and opens the door to new friendships.
“Insightful picture book." — Booklist “A delightful tale of fostering connection through art." — Kirkus Reviews “Readers will easily connect with Jihun’s melancholy from missing a dear friend […] and finding hope in a budding friendship.” — School Library Journal
Colorado CLEL Bell Awards honor Missouri Show Me Readers Award Nominee Florida Literacy Association Children's Book Award Finalist
PEACH HEAVEN
The peaches of Puchon are South Korea's finest — a rare treat for a town girl. After days of rain, the impossible happens: peaches fall from the sky. A dream come true, until she remembers the farmers who've lost everything. Now she must help.
“Timeless feel of a classic tale." — Publishers Weekly “Making the whole experience one tasty bite." — Kirkus Reviews “A memorable tale of a young person making a difference." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books “A memoir that reads like a fairy tale of a community touched by a miracle.” — School Library Journal
Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year CBC Best Children's Books of the Year Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices
THE NAME JAR
Fresh from Korea, Unhei worries her classmates won't pronounce her name right, so she decides to pick a new one. Soon she faces a heartfelt choice: adopt a new identity, or embrace who she truly is?
“Unhei's reflection and inner strength are noteworthy." — The New York Times
“Beautifully written and illustrated.” — Philadelphia Times
“Interweaving several issues into this touching account and delicately addressing the challenges of assimilation.” — Kirkus Reviews
IRA Teachers' Choice
ABA Kids' Pick of the List
PBS Reading Rainbow selection Flicker Tale Children's Book Award California Young Reader Medal Finalist Arizona Young Readers Award Nominee Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Master List Best of the Best by the Chicago Public Library One Houston, One Book: Citywide Reading Kellogg’s Feeding Reading Program selection Theatrical Adaptation on Stages Theatre Company
BEHIND THE MASK
Halloween's coming, and Kimin says he'll be his grandfather. "Going as an old man is not very scary," the kids tease. What they don't know: Kimin’s grandpa was once a Korean mask dancer. And what Kimin doesn't know? That mask has a secret waiting for him.
"'Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat' meets Asian folk drama." — The New York Times
"Korean theater traditions meet American Halloween customs in Choi's satisfying tale." — Publishers Weekly
"An interesting fusion of cultures in a story appealing to children." — Booklist
Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book
NEW CAT
New Cat loves her home in Mr. Kim's tofu factory — except for one problem: the mouse she's spotted is in the one room she's forbidden to enter. But catching mice is her job. One night, instinct wins over instructions, and New Cat gets far more than she bargained for.
“Unique and refreshing.” — Kirkus Reviews
"Beautifully suited to reading aloud.” — School Library Journal
“Choi offers several images that will tickle youngsters." — Publishers Weekly
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best
THE SUN GIRL AND THE MOON BOY
A hungry tiger. Two children waiting for their mother on a dark road. They outsmart it with wit and a little luck. But escape is only the beginning — guided by their mother's love, the siblings rise to become the sun and moon, lighting the world.
“Enigmatic and satisfying.” — Publishers Weekly
“Rich, glowing, dramatic illustrations.” — School Library Journal
Books Illustrated
GOOD-BYE, 382 SHIN DANG DONG
Jangmi is heartbroken. She's leaving Korea for America — saying goodbye to her house at 382 Shin Dang Dong, her room, the willow tree in the courtyard, the marketplace, and worst of all, her best friend, Kisuni.
"Choi's oil paintings create an effective backdrop for this resonant tale." — Publishers Weekly
LANDED
Sun is ready to leave his village in China for America — Gum Saan, Gold Mountain. But his father warns him: passage won't be easy. Because of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, Sun is detained at Angel Island, where a difficult test stands between him and his new life. Based on a true story.
"Poignant." — Booklist *Starred
"A significant book." — School Library Journal
"A detailed, often moving story." — Publishers Weekly
Skipping Stones award Cooperate Children's Book Center Choices
NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book
THIS NEXT NEW YEAR
Chinese New Year means fireworks, fresh starts, and second chances. One boy is determined to get everything just right — sweeping out bad luck, welcoming good luck in, and ringing in the new year with a brand-new heart full of hope.
“Poetic language with unexpected, fanciful touches." — Horn Book
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award
Nick Jr. Best Holiday Book
Also available: Chinese-English Bilingual Edition, Korean-English Bilingual Edition
GAI SEE
Noodles in spring, dragon fruit in summer, chocolate coins in fall, firecrackers in winter — what will you find on a magical stroll through Chinatown's street market?
"Clear, bright illustrations portray the bustle and variety of the marketplace." — Booklist
Cooperative Children's Books Center Choices
RICE IS LIFE
In Bali, farmers head to the sawah each morning to plant seeds. Eels slip through the mud, dragonflies flutter above, rain feeds the growing rice, mice nibble the stalks, and bats swoop at sunset. In Bali, rice is life.
“An account of how the rice is grown and harvested in the lush wet fields of Indonesia.” — The New York Times
“A delight that will fascinate younger readers.” — Booklist
“A highly successful, original format.” — Parents’ Choice
Parents’ Choice Silver Honor
Junior Library Guild Selection
NIM AND THE WAR EFFORT
Spring 1943: Nim's school is holding a paper drive, and the winner takes the prize. Garland, the biggest kid in school, wants to win. So does Nim. But where will she ever find enough newspapers?
"Choi's affecting illustrations lend a somber dignity to this touching story." — The New York Times
“Thought- provoking insights.” — Publishers Weekly
"A fine addition." — School Library Journal
New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year
ALA Notable Book
IRA’s Children’s Book Award
California Young Reader Medal Nominee
NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book
EARTHQUAKE
In 1906, a powerful earthquake shook San Francisco. Fires raged and the city burned for days. One Chinese American family flees their Chinatown home, swept into a river of refugees running for their lives.
"Choi's paintings propel the tale with views of a blossoming city ravaged by a natural disaster." — Publishers Weekly
“A good way to introduce the youngest of readers to a calamitous event.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Beautifully painted imagery… It is reassuring for children to understand that though natural disasters occur, cities and families are rebuilt and reborn.” — Pacific Reader