Tiny Feet Between the Mountains

August 1, 2019
Soe-In has a small round face, just larger than a persimmon, pink cheeks, and a long black braid. Her name, in Korean, means "tiny person." One morning, the villagers find the sun missing from the sky. The air is filled with black smoke and red embers. When the chieftain asks for a volunteer to solve this mystery, everyone is silent--except for Soe-In. "I will go." The smallest people often have the bravest hearts. The courageous little girl packs up her pink bojagi (a scarf to carry her belongings) and travels into the dark forest. She comes face to face with the spirit tiger, who has accidentally swallowed the sun. (The symbolism of the tiger in Korean culture is explained in an author's note.) Cha's debut picture book captures the bold ethos of an ancient Korean legend with sparkling energy, dramatic fires, and giant tigers. It does not, however, overwhelm the modern sensibilities of this small and resolute girl, thoughtfully trying many solutions to solve this epic problem. While traditional clothing and architecture are lovingly portrayed, the presence of a tiny girl heroine is a contemporary twist. Although the range of emotions seen on the face of the main character is limited, the plot and pictures carry the story forward with theatrical drama. A bold and mythic female underdog tale with the look and feel of an ancient Korean fable. (Picture book. 4-8)

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November 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 2-Diminutive Soe-In works extra hard to keep up with the other villagers, but never lets her small stature become a problem. Cheerful and resourceful, the child finds a way to accomplish her tasks-even if the other villagers look at her askance. When the village is clouded in darkness and smoke, the chieftain asks for a volunteer to investigate. "The crowd was silent. When still no one spoke up, Soe-In took a deep breath and said, 'Sir, I will go.'" A chorus of voices shout their doubts, but Shoe-In is undeterred. She discovers that the source of the darkness is the Spirit Tiger who, not content with the mountains and forest, seeks to rule the sky and accidentally swallowed the sun. The great beast is miserable, crying and covered with fire as the sun torments him from inside his belly. Soe-In is confident that she can help despite the tiger's skepticism, and only briefly doubts herself when her first three strategies don't work. She perseveres and saves the day, earning the respect of her village and a blessing from the Spirit Tiger. Cha's illustrations are expressive and vivid, allowing readers to immerse themselves in Soe-In's world. An author's note about the history and meaning of tigers in Korean lore adds extra resonance to this charming tale. VERDICT Plucky Soe-In may be extra tiny, but her confidence and resourcefulness should earn her a large space on library shelves everywhere.-Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from November 15, 2019
Grades K-2 *Starred Review* Diminutive Soe-In, whose name means tiny person, is surrounded by burly, competitive villagers twice her size. Disregarded as incapable because of her small stature, Soe-In is the last person anyone expects to volunteer to investigate why the sun has gone out?especially considering the looming presence of the great spirit tiger, a formidable protector of the mountains and forests on the fringe of her village. Through this extraordinary tale of courage and creative problem-solving, Soe-In will inspire early elementary students to be bold in the face of larger-than-life challenges, while offering a mythical fable to older readers that conveys the significance of tigers in pre-colonial Korea's mountains and villages. Cha's ink-and-watercolor illustrations are incredibly evocative, from the expressive village elders and the eerie, blackened forest to the spirit tiger, who steals the show. After accidentally swallowing the sun, the tiger is covered in burning patches of flames. His enormous size and wild, sweeping contours are juxtaposed with a face flooding with relatable human expression, often with tears bubbling down his face. Visually and emotionally, he makes the perfect foil for Soe-In and her calm, composed strength, and their unlikely friendship will warm readers' hearts. This gorgeous and moving debut from Cha is a worthwhile addition to any picture-book collection.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)