Birthday Soup

PreS-Gr 2–It’s Maia’s birthday, and she can’t wait to celebrate! In the kitchen she is greeted by the delicious smell of her mother making miyeok guk, Korean for birthday soup. Maia and her family all pitch in to make this special soup while talking about its significance. Maia takes a bite and she feels connected to her family, “Not only her mother, but all the mothers going back as far as she can imagine.” Chang’s writing is full of sweetness and care. As she shares in her author’s note, the story is inspired by her own experiences as a Korean American child. Kim’s illustrations are created with a rainbow color palette reflecting the mood of celebration. Notable pages include moments that combine the present with gentle memories of the past. Back matter features a glossary, and miyeok guk recipes from the author’s mother and Korean American chef David Chang.