Giving Thanks with Halmoni: Celebrating Chuseok, the ­Korean Harvest Festival

Gr 2-4–A heartwarming tale that beautifully captures the essence of the Korean holiday Chuseok. The story revolves around Su-Jin and her grandmother, Halmoni, who has recently moved in with Su-Jin’s family. Concerned that Halmoni will miss the traditional celebrations happening in Korea, Su-Jin and her friends with various skin tones decide to organize a Chuseok party of their own. Preparations for the party are detailed with charming illustrations in soft colors, blending sketch and digital drawings. Su-Jin and her friends wrap little gifts in bojagi cloth and prepare traditional foods like Korean scallion pancakes and rice cakes. On the special day, friends and family gather to share stories of their ancestors and play Korean games, creating a festive and inclusive atmosphere. Each page features two or three sentences, making it suitable for children with longer attention spans or higher reading levels. Back matter includes definitions for Korean words and a brief history of the celebration.