A review by hereisenough
The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho

4.0

Dayeon wants to be a "treasure hunting mermaid" diver- a haenyeo- just like her Grandma. In this book the reader doesn't just learn about haenyeos, a group of elderly women who dive for food- but also about other details of South Korean culture, such as breakfast food. The really beautiful part of this book to me is that a grandmother is a powerful diver- it is really lovely for me to see an older woman in a place of power, athleticism, beauty, and skill. Also, the illustrations are just divine, warm and bright. The story is more about the experience of diving with a haenyeo, whereas the backmatter is where anyone interested will actually learn more.