- Overview
-
This story features cats that have their own sad stories and get hurt by the people and the world. Through cats' stories, readers can understand other people's sadness and the importance of communication.
- Book Intro
-
One day, a cat suddenly lost all of its kittens. Cats have lives filled with hunger, and they are always being chased by people. To stray cats, it is even common to lose their kittens as they become roadkill. However, that doesn't mean that they don't get sad.
Yeonwu lost his mom. She was always busy due to having to work, and as a result she couldn't spend time with her son. The boy couldn't understand why his mother had to die all of a sudden. Yeonwu kept everything to himself and didn't open up to anyone. Enju lost her normal life and the little house that she had lived in for a long time. The redevelopment took her away from the place her parents devoted their lives to buliding. She fought against the reality that she was faced with because of this redevelopment, but all she got was dissolution of her family and hurt feelings.
Is there anything more painful than losing the things you care about the most? Author Kim Jungmi talks about this pain, which we sometimes want to ignore or dismiss because it is too severe. This story gives readers an opportunity to look into the pain and sorrow of others and begin to empathize with them. The story provides a hand to readers to help cheer them up and allow them to cheer up others. While listening to the stories of main characters, readers will be able to realize the power of communication and learn important lessons on how to build relationships.
- About the Author
-
Kim Jung-mi
In 1987, Kim Jung mi opened 'The Study Room next to the Railroad', a study room for children in Manseok-dong, Incheon. Kim started another study room in the countryside of Ganghwa in 2001 and has been seeing children in both Ganghwa and Manseok-dong. Author Kim made her literary debut in 2000 with her story Children of Kwaeng-I-Bu-Ri Village receiving the grand prize at the Changbi Good Children's Book Awards.
In addition to being the author of this national bestseller and one of the foremost producers of works for young readers, Kim Jung-mi lived with and has participated in social activism for the urban poor for over 15 years. Currently living on an island near Seoul to create an agrarian community, she continues to write stories about children who keep their spirits up despite poverty.
She has published stories for children including The Paper meal and My Sister Ahyoung, a novel for adolescents entitled Joker and Me, Thank You picture books such as The Wandering Doll Theatre and Protect the Street No. 6, and a collection of essays Go on Once Again.