Korea
Moon Pops
By Baek Heena, Jieun Kiaer (Translator)
Moon Pops. Baek Heena. Translated by Jieun Kiaer. Owlkids Books, 2021. Originally published as Dal Sha-bet in Korean by Bear Books, Inc. ISBN 9781771474290. 36 p. (Ages 3-7). Picture book.
The first title to appear in English by 2020 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award winner Baek Heena (also the first Korean to win that prize). It is a creative and whimsical retelling of the Korean legend of the rabbit in the moon. A story perfect for hot summer nights, it is illustrated with cartoon-like figures that overlay deeply-detailed dioramas of city life. Baek’s earlier Magic Candies was included on the IBBY Honour List in 2018 and adapted as a musical in South Korea; it has been released in English by Amazon Crossing Kids. [cr/dj]