- Overview
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This book portrays an old village where people are closely connected to one another.
- Book Intro
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My Friend, Koko is the story of Grandma Sooni's childhood. The story shows the friendship between the little girl Sooni and her special buddy, Koko. Koko is the name of the chicken raised by Sooni's family. Koko follows Sooni everywhere and becomes a good friend to her. But Koko is known as a bad-tempered chicken by the other villagers. Every time strangers appear in the neighborhood, Koko fiercely pecks at them. Uncle Jangcheol gets attacked by Koko one day and gets angry. He brings a fearsome dog to threaten Koko. Thankfully, Koko jumps up high and gets the better of the dog in an instant. But this incident gives rise to more terrible rumors about Koko. Koko and Sooni face yet another crisis.
My Friend, Koko is set in a small village in the 1960s. The story takes place fifty years ago, in a world that looks very different from today's world. The walls of the houses in the village are so low that even a child can look in by standing on tiptoe. The walls between people are not high either. In the village, people know how others are getting on and offer help in times of hardship. People share warm, close relationships with one another.
To today's children, My Friend, Koko may seem like a distant story. But as they turn the pages, the story will warm their hearts. We will end up smiling at Sooni and the endearing villagers.
- About the Author
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Kim Misook
(English) Kim Misook studied children’s literature at the Department of Creative Writing at the graduate school of Myongji University. She was honored with the Children’s Literature Award for her children’s poetry and also received the 13th MBC Children’s Tale Award for her picture book, My Friend Cock-a-doodle-doo. Along with numerous other creative projects, she has published works including Fool and Grubby; Otture Jang’s Social Distancing Fashion; Welcome to the Samshinjang Therapeutic Camp!; and Hagwon that Teaches Us How to Quarrel. In 2021, she was granted support from the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation.
Kim Yeonjoo
Kim Yeonjoo graduated from Korea University with a degree in Industrial Design and SI Picture Book School. Books Kim has illustrated include Stories of Nature, Bbijuk, a Stubborn Crocodile, Who Moved?, and Save Princess Marquita.