- Overview
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This book tells the story of a friendship between a South Korean boy named Bong-ju and a North Korean boy named To-shi in a backdrop of Tours, France.
- Book Intro
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The secret began to unravel the moment he set out in search of the person behind the message.
Bonjour, Tours is a story about a Korean boy named Bong-ju in Tours, France. After moving into a new house, Bong-ju finds the words 'My loving country, my loving family' and 'I must live' on a desk written in Korean. After discovering a meaningful Korean message in a strange land, Bong-ju sets out to find the person behind the endearing message. In his search, Bong-ju finds a boy named To-shi who is shrouded in mystery, and they both stumble upon the tragic reality of The Two Koreas.
The two boys approach each other carefully in their newfound friendship. Their sincere and touching friendship will resonate with readers for a long time.
A Masterpiece in Korean Children's Literature
Unanimous Winner of Munhakdongne Children's Literature Award
This work does not reflect a monolithic unification theory that indiscriminately pushes an agenda as seen in other similar children's stories. Instead, it seizes our current reality and infuses new perspectives and imagination to the greater issue. What's more, elements such as the sophisticated writing style and mystery-movie-like scene transitions make this work shine that much more.
Through the eyes of a twelve-year-old boy named Bong-ju, author Han Yunsup sincerely conveys to readers that the system of division between North and South Korea is not just a bitter story of the past but a reality that can be encountered anytime and anywhere. Han tells the desperate story of division within a refreshingly different backdrop of France, which seemingly bears no relation to the Korean struggle. Inter-Korean issues are explored while in the country of tolerance, and the author introduces several French and Arab characters as an allusion to current events. These devices are used as the driving force behind Bonjour, Tours' ability to talk about division without being confined to myths and customs.
- About the Author
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Han Yunsup
Han Yunsup studied dramatic writing at the Seoul Institute of the Arts and theater at the University of Rennes in France. He currently works as a playwright and theater director and won the Grand Prize at the Nationwide New Play Competition in 2009. His plays include Good Morning, Papa, Manjeok's Chaos, Oh, Baghdad!, Mom, Let's Play with the Earth!, The Concubine, and Quiet Dining Table. Han won the 11th Munhakdongne Children's Literature Award with Bonjour, Tours and has written other children's stories such as Jajangmyeon Rocket, Harriet, A Child Who Delivers Letters, and My Neighborhood Legend.
Kim Jinwha
(English) Kim Jinwha studied painting in college and has since painted illustrations for children’s books. She hopes to see a society with fewer conflicts thanks to conclusions made possible by people agreeing to acceptable standards. She was the illustrator for books including The Brown Bear Took My Dad, Fairness: If I Were to Split the Cake, Delivery of My Heart Complete, I Need a Friend, Math Diner, Human Rights Let’s Go to School, Children's Museum Goguryeo, What It Means to Record, What is your dream? and Bonjour Tours.
- Award
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Grand Prize, Munhakdongne Children's Literature Award, 2010
- Selection
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This Month's Book Selection, Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea, 2010
School Library Journal Book Recommendation, School Library Journal, 2011
'One City, One Book' Selection, Seocheon, 2011
Outstanding Children's Book (Primary/Elementary School), Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation, 2011