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zoes_human's review against another edition
adventurous
4.0
On Jeju Island in South Korea, there are women who call themselves jamnyeo, also known as haenyeo or by some as Korea's granny mermaids. These women have a diving tradition that goes back to the 17th century. Women aged up to their eighties dive down to 20 meters or more, using their skill and knowledge to collect the "treasures of the sea" in sustainable agricultural practices. The Ocean Calls is the story of one girl who longs to join her grandma but must first overcome her own fears.
Educational, encouraging, and interesting, this story is accompanied by boldly colorful and beautiful art. It is perfect for themes of grandparents, agriculture, being brave, and the ocean. Suitable for ages 5 to 8.
Educational, encouraging, and interesting, this story is accompanied by boldly colorful and beautiful art. It is perfect for themes of grandparents, agriculture, being brave, and the ocean. Suitable for ages 5 to 8.
optimaggie's review against another edition
4.0
We read this in the past but it was more enjoyable this time, reading it as a part of our Korea studies, as we recognized certain things in both the text and the illustrations from our studies.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
3.0
It's a sweet little story about a fascinating topic. I appreciate the illustrator's efforts to spread color over the whole page.
anyaemilie's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Kokila Books for the ARC!
This book is a beautifully illustrated story about haenyeo, the female free divers who catch food for their families and communities off the coast of Jeju Island in South Korea.
The main character, Dayeon, is a young girl who wants to become a haenyeo like her grandmother. The haenyeo are often compared to mermaids, which Dayeon loves.
This is a very sweet story of a young girl learning about her community's culture and history through her grandmother, who lives that culture every day. It shows the importance of learning from our elders, and that the younger generations of children are still interested in things like free diving despite more advanced technologies.
I love the illustrations in this book, and my favorite one is a page where Dayeon and her grandmother are walking through a field towards the beach. Their shadows trail behind them on the field in the shape of mermaid tails, giving these women a somewhat mythical quality.
I think this story is an important one, because it teaches children about a small part of Korean culture that most Americans probably do not know about. It will help Korean-American children see themselves represented in a book by a major publisher, and it will help educate non-Korean children about an important cultural practice in South Korea. I love stories about underrepresented people and places, so this is a fantastic addition to Kokila's repertoire.
This book is a beautifully illustrated story about haenyeo, the female free divers who catch food for their families and communities off the coast of Jeju Island in South Korea.
The main character, Dayeon, is a young girl who wants to become a haenyeo like her grandmother. The haenyeo are often compared to mermaids, which Dayeon loves.
This is a very sweet story of a young girl learning about her community's culture and history through her grandmother, who lives that culture every day. It shows the importance of learning from our elders, and that the younger generations of children are still interested in things like free diving despite more advanced technologies.
I love the illustrations in this book, and my favorite one is a page where Dayeon and her grandmother are walking through a field towards the beach. Their shadows trail behind them on the field in the shape of mermaid tails, giving these women a somewhat mythical quality.
I think this story is an important one, because it teaches children about a small part of Korean culture that most Americans probably do not know about. It will help Korean-American children see themselves represented in a book by a major publisher, and it will help educate non-Korean children about an important cultural practice in South Korea. I love stories about underrepresented people and places, so this is a fantastic addition to Kokila's repertoire.
yapha's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating story and gorgeous illustrations!! Highly recommended for grades 1 & up!
f&g provided by publisher
f&g provided by publisher
little_silver's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. I'm having feelings. Learning about-long standing communities of women/entrepreneurs like this fills a void in my heart
abigailbat's review against another edition
Color splashes every page of this vibrant picture book about a young Korean girl and her grandmother who is a haenyeo - a diver hunting for food and treasure on the sea floor. Dayeon dreams of following in her grandmother's fins and becoming a "mermaid" diver, but she's afraid of what might happen to her in the water. In the story, her grandmother helps her face her fears and complete her first dive. An author's note gives more information about the real haenyeo - Korean women who dive about 20 days a month to catch sea urchin, octopuses, and other sea life to sell. Hand this to young marine biologists.
krismarley's review against another edition
4.0
I have mixed feelings about books that don’t totally make sense without their author’s note
bethany_booklover's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story about a young Korean girl and her Grandma, a haenyeo. The haenyeo are divers who scavenge for treasures and food to feed their families or sell to others. (Basically real life mermaids!) This is such a sweet story about a grandma helping her granddaughter overcome her fear of the sea, and passing on the tradition.