- Overview
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This is a story about a blue horse who was the symbol of victory in war but became a symbol of salvation.
- Book Intro
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At an early dawn, the village was at a ruckus due to the birth of a blue horse. The lord announced that the blue horse was a revelation from God and it was trained as a war horse. After learning only how to run, fight and become strong through training with veteran soldiers, and under the high hopes of the people, the blue horse excels on the battlefield and earns the moniker, "Blue Wave." The land that Blue Wave passes through becomes the land of the lord, stained with blood. However, the endless battles only lead people towards a breaking point. The cheers for Blue Wave turn into outcries, and the one-time revelation of God changes to a symbol of despair and a curse. One fateful, snowy day on the battlefield, Blue Wave stops in his tracks when he discovers a young soldier dashing towards him with eyes identical to his own. It is at this moment that Blue Wave, who had never doubted his fate but simply marched forward, looks back at his life as a warhorse for the first time ever.
After suffering defeat in the battlefield, Blue Wave escapes from prison. As he reaches a massive river, he hears a cry for help from nearby. Blue Wave, of his own free will, helps the person in distress, and finally choses a path for himself. With that, the moniker, Blue Wave, begins to gain a new meaning in people's hearts.
The blue warhorse, who was called "Blue Wave" by the people, makes a turn in life by saving people and is thus remembered for eternity. The Blue Wave is a story that begins with a question: "What is the true meaning of a name?" The writer carefully designed color and structure schemes and unfolded the story accordingly. The mix of black, white and blue, the contrast of left and right as Blue Wave's perception of his identity changes, and the change in color and perspective that follows the growth of the characters from the first chapter up to the final chapter, not only build a strong tension within the story but also reinforce its powerful message.
- About the Author
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Yoo Junjae
Yoo Junjae (M), studied Fiber Arts at Hongik University. He wrote and illustrated picture books including My Ball, In Mom's Dream, Balance and The Blue Wave and illustrated children's stories including The King of Boys, My Little Brother Is on Mars, The Can School and The Boy Protecting Atomics Earth, as well as the children's poem collection Cold Goose. For his work Animal Farm, Yoo won an award at the 15th NOMA Concours in 2007, and he was selected as the Illustrator of the Year at the Bologna Children's Book Fair for The Blue Wave in 2015.
- Recommendation
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The horse, "Blue Wave" was once a tool of death but became a holy tool for saving lives. The lord within the story seems to represent our society, and the Blue Wave resembes us who live in a harsh competitive world. The lord's victory reminds us of death and on the contrary, the dealth of Blue Wave evokes life. This picture book makes us think about the kind of people we are, and the kind of people we should be. - Lim Jungja (child book writer), 2014
- Selection
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"Bologna Children’s Book Fair, 2015, lllustrator of the Year Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (KPIPA), 2014, Recommended book for Children"