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A review by maxcfb
The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho
5.0
I had never known about the haenyeo tradition in South Korea until hearing about this book, and after reading it, I am in awe of these women’s bravery, their connection to one another, and the way they diligently serve their communities while making a living.
But beyond the tradition itself, this is also a story of the love between a girl, Dayeon, and her grandma, as well as a story of overcoming fear and following in the footsteps of those who come before you. . . . this story is a really lovely example of a child being brave that young readers will connect with!
I appreciated that the story itself is not an explanation of the haenyeo tradition, since the characters themselves would likely not tell the story that way. Still, two pages of informative back matter explain this tradition’s connections to history and present day in more detail.
And Jess X. Snow’s illustrations are truly gorgeous, with dynamic viewpoints that capture the movement, tension, and freedom of the divers, as well as rich medleys of color that bring the ocean to life.
What’s my verdict? A beautifully illustrated depiction of an amazing tradition—and it’s relatable for young readers too!
– Click here to see the full review on my blog!
But beyond the tradition itself, this is also a story of the love between a girl, Dayeon, and her grandma, as well as a story of overcoming fear and following in the footsteps of those who come before you. . . . this story is a really lovely example of a child being brave that young readers will connect with!
I appreciated that the story itself is not an explanation of the haenyeo tradition, since the characters themselves would likely not tell the story that way. Still, two pages of informative back matter explain this tradition’s connections to history and present day in more detail.
And Jess X. Snow’s illustrations are truly gorgeous, with dynamic viewpoints that capture the movement, tension, and freedom of the divers, as well as rich medleys of color that bring the ocean to life.
What’s my verdict? A beautifully illustrated depiction of an amazing tradition—and it’s relatable for young readers too!
– Click here to see the full review on my blog!