Korean Children’s Stories and Songs

$18.50

Korean Children’s Stories and Songs is a collection of  favorite stories and songs which all Koreans sang and listened to growing up.

In the first story, “The Flower-Eating Locomotive” by Kim Yo-sup, the locomotive uses flowers as fuel, so it emits the fragrance of flowers instead of smoke. The border is ringed round with the roses, and people in this country have warm heart. The story reflects the reality paradoxically after Korean War and contains the yearning for peace. “The Dancing Village” by Lee Hyun-ju, is about a young boy named Cheoyong who has a talent for dancing and has a dream of being noticed and famous in the world. Unfortunately, he met a tragic and untimely death. Only the villagers were keeping his memory. The story shows how the dignity of human being was devastated under rapid urbanization. The third story, “Ten Fingers” by Yoon Suk-joong is composed of an amusing anecdote about a young boy Yeongi who got hurt his one finger. For example, Yeongi couldn’t tie a shoestring, or he spilt teacher’s ink on the desk. Reader could sympathize with the young boy and the situation. Especially the personified ten fingers stimulate reader’s imagination.

Nine songs and poems also have been very popular since 1920s in Korea. The works such as “Springtime Outing”(bomnadeuri) by Yoon Suk-joong and “Half-Moon”(bandal) by Yoon Kuk-young were made to give hopes and dreams to the blossoming children in the tragic situation of war. The book included these songs, poems, and stories which have been beloved for a long time in Korea, so it is to be recommended for men and women of all ages. Reading the book which includes Korean sentiment is a great way to learn Korean people and its culture. The fabulous colored-pencil illustrations are another attraction of the book.

Contents:

PREFACE

STORIES
The Flower-Eating Locomotive (꽃잎을 먹는 기관차 – 김요섭)
The Dancing Village (춤추는 마을 – 이현주)
Ten Fingers (열 손가락 이야기 – 윤석중)

SONGS
Springtime Outing (봄나들이 – 윤석중)
My Little Puppy Dog (강아지래요 – 김성도)
Lullaby (자장가 – 박목월)
Little Spring (옹달샘 – 윤석중)
Come Pick the Moon (달 따러 가자 – 윤석중)
Half-Moon (반달 – 윤극영)
Eyes (눈 – 김일로)
World Map (세계 지도 – 윤석중)
Flower Deer (꽃 사슴 – 유경환)

 

Author(s)

Peter Hyun

Peter Hyun was born and raised in Hamhung, Korea, where he received his early education. Pursuing his studies and writing career in the United States and Europe, he was a regular contributor to the BBC Third Programme and Encounter in London, and UNESCO Features and France Observateur in Paris. From 1962 until he returned to Korea in 1975, he worked as a children’s book editor and writer in New York.

Dong-il Park

Dong-il Park is a graduate of Hongik University (Fine Arts Course) in Seoul, Korea, and has worked for numerous publishers during the over 30 years building up a strong reputation in the field of children’s literature. He was the editor of Mother and Child, Korea’s leading child-raising magazine.

88 pp.
LC# 2015930781
Softcover 15 x 20 cm
ISBN-13: 9781565914612
ISBN-10: 1565914619