- Overview
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When Leon, a stray cat, is struck and killed by a passing car, he heads to the afterlife. But before that happens, he has one day to spare. Mechanisms typically seen in comic books are in full display to depict Leon's last day in a lively, whimsical way.
- Book Intro
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Leon is a stray cat that gets hit and killed by a car while crossing a highway. This book tells of the adventures Leon goes through one day before he's set to head into the afterlife. The fact that a dead stray cat is the book's protagonist, and makes wry commentary on his own life, creates a wonderfully refreshing book. Though Leon was a bit of a coward when he was alive, he transforms into a brave cat who willingly takes the initiative to do things he didn't dare in the real world. The book moves away from simply dealing with the issue of stray animals and death, and instead tells a fascinatingly unexpected story. The imaginative approach to the afterlife is also quite whimsical, especially when incorporated with quick-witted descrptions. The book's unexpected take on the issue of roadkill forces readers to reflect on the selfishness of humans and ask deep questions about animal rights. The adventures of the cat Leon as he is caught in limbo, where he understands the values of friendship, compromise, illegal matters, betrayal, and paying things forward, are drawn with humor and emotion. The imaginative insight of the afterlife as seen in this book compels us to look back on our own time on this Earth, as well as our relationships with the ones we love.
- About the Author
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Song Eunhye
The author was born in Seoul and studied creative writing at Seoul Institute of the Arts. She made her literary debut in 2019 when her work was chosen in the Spring Literary Contest children's story category for the Chosun Ilbo. For Purple Cat, she received the 16th Ma Haesong Literary Award.
Oh Seungmin
(English) Oh Seungmin studied Eastern art at Sejong University and completed an illustrated book course at Hankyoreh. Oh received the second prize Korea Anderson Shadow Award and the NOMA Concours for Children's Picture Book Illustrations with Hide and Seek in 2004. Her Ugly Duckling was selected and presented at the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB) in 2007. Oh was selected as the illustrator of Korean Pavilion of Bologna Children's Book Fair with The Song of Aggabi in 2009. Oh illustrated childrens books including Great Tricycle!, Space Hotel, Folk Dancing Every Day, Purple Cat, Moon Rice Cake Research Center, Great Mistake, and Luho. Oh also illustrated My Neighborhood - Doksandong, Goshu Playing the Cello, Try This Noodle, and Mr. Poet. Oh is the author and illustrator of Today's Menu is Pork Cutlet with Curry.
(Chinese) 世宗大学东洋画专业毕业，韩民族插图画册课程结业。凭借《一定要藏好》获得了2004年韩国安徒生影子奖优秀奖和日本NOMA CONCOURS 国际图书插图优秀奖。《丑小鸭》于2007年被选为BIB布拉迪斯拉发双年展展出作品，《鬼怪之歌》被选为2009年博洛尼亚国际书展韩国馆插图画家。童话《 酷毙了 ，三轮自行车！』 《宇宙酒店》、《每天都跳传统舞》、《紫色猫》、《月糕研究所》、《了不起的失误》、《楼浩》，为绘本《我的独山洞》、《演奏大提琴的加什》、《诗人叔叔来吃面条》等作品画画，还创作了绘本《今天是炸猪排咖喱饭》等。
(French) En 2004, elle a remporté le prix Korea Andersen Shadow et la mention honorable dans le Concours international NOMA pour cache-cache. En 2009, elle a été sélectionnée en tant qu’illustratrice pour le pavillon coréen de la Foire internationale du livre de Bologne avec La chanson d’Akkaebi.
- Award
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16th Ma Haesong Literary Award
