Where's Joon?
A Korean Children's Book (Halmoni & Family)
Published on 10. October 2023
Book
Hardback
120 pages
978-1-63217-415-4 (ISBN)
Description
It's Halmoni's birthday, and everyone is helping in the garden before the celebration, but where is Joon? Jin sees a mess in the kitchen but no sign of Joon anywhere. Where could he have gone?
Halmoni has a hunch and sends Jin on an errand through her magical portal into a fantastical world of Korean folklore. Jin is to deliver rice cakes to the notorious miser Jo-harabuhji and hopefully meet Joon on the way.
In this strange world, Jin and Joon each meet familiar friends and foe before reuniting to embark on a new mission - to fix Halmoni's magic pot that Joon broke back at the house.
Will Jin and Joon succeed in restoring Halmoni's magic pot? And will Halmoni forgive Joon for having broken her favourite magic pot in the first place?
This story is about the children's courage to face their fears and their efforts to do the right thing, and how love makes it all possible.
Series Overview: Beautifully illustrated, adventure-filled picture books, with graphic novel elements, inspired by Korean folklore.
Halmoni has a hunch and sends Jin on an errand through her magical portal into a fantastical world of Korean folklore. Jin is to deliver rice cakes to the notorious miser Jo-harabuhji and hopefully meet Joon on the way.
In this strange world, Jin and Joon each meet familiar friends and foe before reuniting to embark on a new mission - to fix Halmoni's magic pot that Joon broke back at the house.
Will Jin and Joon succeed in restoring Halmoni's magic pot? And will Halmoni forgive Joon for having broken her favourite magic pot in the first place?
This story is about the children's courage to face their fears and their efforts to do the right thing, and how love makes it all possible.
Series Overview: Beautifully illustrated, adventure-filled picture books, with graphic novel elements, inspired by Korean folklore.
Reviews / Votes
? "Rich in folklore, comedy, and color, a riotous and pleasurable treat."-Kirkus Reviews, starred
? Kim's story is absolutely enchanting, but her stupendously vivacious illustrations prove even more memorable. Amplifying details immediately stand out from the first pages: the rice maker found in virtually every Asian American home, the well-used kitchen towel hanging slightly askew, the melding of Western/Korean architectural aesthetics. Kim imbues every scene with infectious energy, inviting readers to join in the clever challenges to bring the family safely back together.
-Terry Hong, Shelf Awareness, starred
"The graphic novel picture book sequel to the bestselling "Where's Halmoni?" by Seattle author Julie Kim came out in October with gorgeous art, humor and a story about the immigrant experience of traversing two worlds."
-Seattle Times
"A lovely and lively sequel and perfect companion to Kim's first inventive and immersive expedition traversing two cultures."
-Booklist
"This very non-apologetic bilingual nature of the stories is healing to read."
-AsianLitforKids
"Kim infuses her novel with strikingly beautiful landscapes, warm character illustrations, and the nostalgia of childhood curiosity transports audiences straight into the storybook. Her genuine enthusiasm towards her craft is undeniable and shows in every page, making "Where's Joon?" a celebration of love, family, and Korean-American experiences."
-The Daily
"Jaw-dropping art with vibrant colors."
-Imagination Soup
"A dynamic interweaving of full- and half-spread illustrations and paneled passages highlight Kim's masterful execution of this bilingual tale."--Little Village Mag
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Blue Star Press
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 5 to 9 years
Dimensions
Height: 261 mm
Width: 213 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
584 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-63217-415-4 (9781632174154)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2026
Blue Star Press
€18.49
Available for download
Person
Julie Kim is an author and illustrator living in Seattle, WA. She is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, and has mainly done illustration work for various trade, educational, and nonprofit book publishers as well as for children's magazines. Where's Halmoni? was her debut book as author/illustrator and Where's Joon? is the sequel.