Marketing & Promotion of Korean Literature
★ The 2021 World Illustration Award winner
★ Shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards
The internationally acclaimed phenomenon with six starred reviews!
Accompanied by the constant, rumbling ba-dum ba-dum of its passage through the city, the subway has stories to tell. Between sunrise and sunset, it welcomes and farewells people, and holds them—along with their joys, hopes, fears, and memories—in its embrace.
Originally published in Korean and brought to English-speaking audiences with the help of renowned translator Deborah Smith (The Vegetarian), I Am the Subway vividly reflects the shared humanity that can be found in crowded metropolitan cities.
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Ages 3–10 | 240mm × 260mm | 52pp | CMYK with cloth quarter-binding
★“[S]ensitive, closely observed portraits of Seoul’s subway passengers…in this quiet treasure of a tale, every person in the crowd has a story, a family they love, and dreams they cherish.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
★“In this picture book, a subway train shares intimate stories while ferrying passengers around Seoul…A contemplative, poignant rendering of everyday journeys.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★“A bestselling Korean picture book is translated to bring this entrancing tale of “the unique lives of strangers you might never meet again” to a new audience. Told from the perspective of the Seoul subway, the story peels back layers on the people who board, reminding us that everyone we encounter has a story we don’t know. Bewitching.”—Foreword, starred review
★“In this beautiful and unusual book, first-person narration by a subway tells us all about the regulars who ride its cars in busy Seoul each day…Perfect for subway enthusiasts, kids who live in the city and think about their fellow train passengers, and for those who don’t but wonder what the experience would be like. If a class is studying Korea, this would be a fascinating unit activator.” —Youth Services Book Review, starred review
“As the narrator (a subway train!) starts describing its life and the lives of its riders, gray faceless figures take on detail and luminous color—a trove of richness we had no access to when they were strangers to us. A brilliant turnaround, a great concept and an endearing book. Not to mention its elegant design and beautiful watercolor.” —Paul O. Zelinsky, Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator of The Wheels on the Bus, The New York Times
“This is a love song, a poem to a means of transportation, an excuse to talk about a beloved city and a true invitation to get to meet the people of Seoul, getting to know their names, their joys, their hopes, and of course, the stations they come to and from.” —Geek Dad
“[A] celebration of humanity, diversity and people of all walks of life.” —Books Grow Minds
“Journey through the Seoul subway as it ba-dum, ba-dums across the city and dip into the many lives that rely on it each day. Striking the perfect balance of being a universal story while staying deeply rooted in it’s sense of place, any reader who uses public transportation regularly will see echoes of their experiences in the crowded train cars. The illustrations, soft and expressive, are an important layer to the reading experience, adding more details and colors as the individual stories of each passenger unfolds.” —Stephanie Heinz, bookseller at Print Bookstore
“Having lived in South Korea for a couple years I am so happy to read this beautiful celebration of the small moments that happen everyday all around us in the most mundane yet fantastic of places.” —Ryan Kimmett, bookseller at Kismet Books
I Am the Subway
Author/Illustrator: Kim Hyo-eun
Translator: Deborah Smith
Published: 03 Aug 2021
“The subway leads the reader on a journey of the heart, experiencing each new arrival with their story and thus their humanity. Poetic and powerful, this book has led me on not only a journey through Seoul but the experience of moments in the day and a connection to each rider.” —Jesica Sweedler-DeHart, librarian at Neill Public Library
"Dazzling … A gorgeous celebration of Seoul and its people." —Waking Brain Cells
"One of the most beautiful books, and it’s narrated all by the actual subway! [A] lovely reminder that everyone we see in passing has a rich backstory." —The Tiny Activists
"This poetic and quietly vivid day in the life of the Seoul subway is one of our absolute favorite books this year." —Avery and Augustine, Books for Diversity
"Absolutely took my breath away … Expressive, tender, cinematic, and unique in so many ways - I've never really read a book like it before … Impossible not to walk away with a sense of wonder with each read." —Inclusive Storytime
"A gorgeous picture book about the lives and thoughts of subway goers. It’s an imaginative picture book that’s beautifully illustrated … an excellent read aloud." —Baby Librarians
"Beautifully highlights how all of us have our own unique story and how public transport brings with it a shared humanity that helps all of those stories intersect whether we realize it or not." —Kid Lit is Magic
"Brilliant … With creamy, cinematic illustrations, this read offers a portrait of individual everyday journeys, reflecting our shared humanity even in the most crowded of metropolitan areas." —Mai Story Book Library
★“Magnificent … Kim insightfully acknowledges "the unique lives of strangers you might never meet again" on spread after spectacular watercolor spread, the diverse passengers each caught in a single moment in time … Lucky readers, climb aboard: extraordinary explorations await.”
–Terry Hong, Shelf Awareness, starred review
“I Am the Subway encourages us to think about the strangers around us and feel empathy toward them … Watercolor artwork captures both the bustling character of Seoul and the strange, liminal nature of a subway train making it unique and full of personality — perfect for a book that personifies the subway itself.”
–GeekMom
“[O]ne of the finest picture-book portraits of city life that I have ever read.”
—Imogen Carter, The Observer
“[A] poetic journey through the Korean subway, narrated by the train itself.”
—The Guardian, best children's books of 2022
Author & Illustrator: Kim Hyo-eun
Translator: Deborah Smith
AUD$27.99 | £12.99 | US$19.95
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A Kirkus Best of 2024
A 2024 Horn Book Fanfare
★ “[A] sweetly hilarious tale” —Kirkus Reviews
★ “clever, humorous” —Horn Book Review
★ "delicious" —Shelf Awareness
From the creator of multi-award-winning I Am the Subway.
Making sure you get your rightful share in a family of five siblings is never easy. Everything must be carefully calculated and precisely measured to make sure no one misses out.
How We Share Cake is a hilarious exploration of the timeless struggle for fairness and justice among brothers and sisters. This delightful story captures the very essence of family dynamics.
‘This is the most funny, clever, gorgeous book with the lightest touch and yet so profound and universal.’ —Davina Bell, author of All the Ways to be Smart
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Ages 3–10 | 56pp | CMYK
Australian Edition | AUD$27.99
Pub Date: 01 Oct 2024 | ISBN: 9781761380655 | 270 mm H × 210 mm W
UK Edition | £12.99 | 270mm × 210mm
Pub Date: 24 Oct 2024 | ISBN: 9781915590855 | 270 mm H × 210 mm W
North American Edition | US$19.95
Pub Date: 08 Oct 2024 | ISBN: 9781957363851 | 8.3 in W × 106 in H
Rights Held: World English
“Sharing isn’t always caring, but affection and scheming go hand in hand in this sweetly hilarious tale.”
—Kirkus Reviews, ‘Best Books of the Year’
★ “Kim Hyo-eun's delicious How We Share Cake, her second Korean import after the award-winning I Am the Subway …focuses on the pursuit of familial fairness … stylized pencil, watercolor, and collage illustrations—outlined in black and white, strategically enhanced with detailed colors and patterns—are reminiscent of comic panels with their generous use of white space, whimsy, and humor.”
—Terry Hong, Shelf Awareness, starred review
★ “In this clever, humorous Korean import, a young girl describes how she and her two brothers and two sisters share things fairly.”
—Horn Book Review, starred review
★ “In a family of five siblings, this book’s narrator—the second-oldest—describes how ‘we can split anything’ … Kim employs pencil and watercolor textures in sweetly amusing spreads that show how a wealth of items are allotted, in this moving work about divisions and connections.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Translated from Korean, the first-person narrative with a light STEM theme blends comical and earnest sentiments, which are charmingly reflected in the softly coloured cartoon illustrations playfully incorporating ways of dividing many things in fifths … the relatable experience of having to share with family, along with its joys and challenges, comes through in an entertaining fashion.”
—Booklist
“This was such a lovely read, from the author of I Am the Subway. As a sibling myself, I know what it was like to share cake, hot buns, and everything with my younger siblings. Everything Kim wants must be carefully calculated. I loved the measures and infinite ways in which everything can be shared into five equal pieces, it speaks volumes about equity and the sense of fairness every child possesses.”
—GeekDad
“A delicious and delightful book of siblings and what it means to share and try to be fair. I am reminded of a quote cousins taught my kids when they were little, ‘you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit’ and yet it takes a lot of math, patience, and resilience to live this as truth.”
—Jesica Dehart, Neill Public Library
“A perfect summation of interpersonal family dynamics rendered in whimsical pencil and watercolor illustrations. Laugh out loud funny, the warmth that radiates from this picture book cannot be understated; How We Share Cake is sure to be a crowd pleaser at any read aloud!”
—Taylor Carlton, Brazos Bookstore
How We Share Cake
Author/Illustrator: Kim Hyo-eun
Translator: Deborah Smith
Published: 08 Oct 2024
“This is a gorgeously funny book about the timeless struggle for fairness and justice between siblings. It captures the delightful quirks of family dynamics — the way siblings must jostle along together most of the time, and how special it is when, every now and then, each person gets their time in the sun.”
—Alice Ellerby, JUNO Magazine
“A beautiful book about sharing and fractions and family and cake. Four of the best things in the world.”
—The Bookworm Inc.
“This picture book is translated from Korean, with a few Korean words remaining for keen readers to learn. The story functions as an entertaining introduction to maths while beautifully capturing and celebrating family. For ages 3+.”
—Kim Gruschow, Readings Monthly
“Kim Hyo-eun brilliantly captures the essence of family dynamics in this outstanding story. A heart-felt, joy-filled delight.”
— Louise Ellis-Barrett, Armadillo Children’s Books
“Sharing is a hard concept to understand for young children, whether it is at home or at school and this is tackled here with so much empathy, humour, and sweetness.”
— Shelf Awareness
“This is a book to share, both as a family and even more, perhaps, in a classroom where it could give rise to interesting comment and discussion.”
— Books for Keeps
“This deliciously inventive tale offers a remarkably honest depiction of childhood that speaks to young people’s egocentrism as well as their deep capacity for empathy.”
—Kirkus Reviews, 'Great Children's Literature Knows No Borders'
“A very appealing and funny picture book about siblings and learning to share.”
—Belmont Books
Author & Illustrator: Kim Hyo-eun
Translator: Aerin Park
AUS$19.99 | US$12.95
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★ STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus
★ STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
A groundbreaking accordion board book that captures babies’ journey from seeing the world to seeing themselves.
From award-winning creator Kim Hyo-eun (I Am the Subway and How We Share Cake), I Am Here follows babies through the remarkable developmental transition from understanding where things are to understanding where they are.
Beginning with “below” concepts read vertically—sun, clouds, rainbow, Mama—the book matches how babies naturally look up at their world. It then transitions to “beside” relationships read horizontally—grandfather, cat, ants, nature treasures—reflecting babies' growing engagement with their immediate environment. The journey ends with the profound moment of self-recognition: “me.”
The ingenious format mirrors how babies actually develop—looking up first, then engaging laterally with their environment. Perfect for tummy time with newborns, spatial learning with babies, early language development with toddlers, and as a keepsake that grows with your child. The accordion design allows traditional reading, wall display, or creative folding for new story combinations.
Through Kim Hyo-eun’s warm, humanistic illustrations, I Am Here creates an immersive reading experience grounded in developmental psychology and celebrating both the natural world and the parent-child bond. This innovative book celebrates the cognitive leap that transforms babies into confident little people who know exactly where they belong.
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Ages 0-3 | 18pp | CMYK | Accordion-fold Board Book
Australian Edition | AUD$19.99
Pub: 28 Apr 2026 | ISBN: 9781761382062 | 280mm H × 215mm W
North American Edition | US$12.95
Pub: 7 Apr 2026| ISBN: 9781964992419 | 6.5 in W x 6.5 in H
Rights Held: World English
“Meaningful and developmentally aware, these plotlines elevate the narrative, making the book more substantive than the usual picture dictionary. This is especially apparent in the poignant ‘me’ and ‘I am here’ statements that eloquently reflect the child’s beginning glimmers of self-awareness. Nuanced watercolor washes are artfully rendered. Buoyantly airy on one side, grounded and solid on the other, the high-contrast objects are appropriately eye-catching. Hardy paper will admirably withstand tactile exploration, and well-defined folds allow the book to lie flat or stand upright for tummy time … Pint-sized perfection.”
—Kirkus, starred review
I Am Here
Author/Illustrator: Kim Hyo-eun
Translator: Aerin Park
Published: 07 April 2026
“Repeated prepositions propel this bright-eyed board book, which movingly presents the world from a baby’s developing perspective … [A] uniquely engineered read.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Delightful … The ingenious format mirrors how babies actually develop—looking up first, then engaging laterally with their environment … Original, deftly crafted, and thoroughly ‘child friendly’ in tone and presentation, I Am Here by author/illustrator Kim Hyo-eun is an impressively groundbreaking accordion style board book.”
—Midwest Book Review
“A sweet, bright, and beautifully illustrated early concept accordion (!) board book that helps situate babies spatially in concert with what they see in the world, and with where they are themselves.”
—Nicole Murphy, The Novel Neighbor Bookstore
Author: Jung Jinho
Translator: Aerin Park
AUS$27.99 | US$19.99
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One quick tap, and bananas appear at your door the next morning like magic. Simple, right? Here’s a peek inside that seemingly effortless convenience.
Award-winning author and illustrator Jung Jinho traces the incredible journey of one banana, from phone screen to front door. Bustling trucks, lively market vendors, and dedicated night-time workers are part of the surprising connections that bring the things we need right to us.
A captivating look at the many hands and countless stories behind our daily deliveries.
Perfect for:
Teacher Librarians: Seeking engaging and accessible ways to introduce global systems and supply chains to young readers.
Parents & Carers: Looking for a wonderful tool to discuss the implications of modern convenience and how our choices impact the world around us with young children.
Contemporary Illustration Lovers: Discovering a stunning example of cutting-edge contemporary Korean illustration from a renowned artist.
Banana Express is a fun, eye-opening adventure that shows us just how connected we all are, and why each of us truly matters.
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Ages 4–9 | | 40pp | 2 Pantones | Hardback
Australian Edition | AUD$27.99
Pub: 2 June 2026 | ISBN: 9781761382031 | 280mm H × 215mm W
North American Edition | US$19.99
Pub: 2 June 2026 | ISBN: 9781964992280 | 8.5 in W x 11 in H
Rights Held: World English
“Jung creates invitingly simple black-and-white line drawings with yellow highlights to complement his easy, step-by-step narrative … Jung warmly reminds readers—factory assemblers and engineers, fishermen and suppliers, drivers and deliverers, and parents and caregivers alike—that ‘we are all connected.’”
—Terry Hong, Shelf Awareness
“This impeccably designed book takes an in-depth look at many of the invisible jobs that keep our communities running—and it does it in banana yellow! Bon appetit!”
—Let’s Talk Picture Books
“This is a delightful look at the supply chain, set in a Korean city … Little readers will love seeing the vehicles and people hard at work using different tools … A good purchase for all collections that serve young children.”
—Youth Services Book Review
“Illuminating … A clever, tidy story about how so many of our choices are interconnected, from nighttime fishing boats to daycare workers … Engaging fare for resolutely curious kids.”
—Booklist
Banana Express
Author/Illustrator: Jung Jinho
Translator: Aerin Park
Published: 02 April 2026
“Award-winning author and illustrator Jung Jinho traces the incredible journey of one banana, from phone screen to front door … Original, informative, and a fun read from cover to cover.”
—Midwest Book Review
“[Banana Express] opens our eyes to all the people in all the places who work together so we can eat, do our own jobs, have something to wear, have a subway to ride, and on and on. If you think about it, really think about [it], we are connected to so many people all over the world. They help us. We help them. Wow! That's the kind of world I want to live in—and I do!.”
—Barb Langridge, A Book and a Hug
“Author Kim and illustrator Lee offer scenes to help kids digest the complex story of plastics…[R]efreshingly, plastics recycling is not presented as a catchall solution for single-use plastics. Readers are encouraged to reduce single-use plastic consumption, to learn about innovative solutions from scientists and activists, and to acknowledge that eliminating plastics use is unlikely. Illustrations of people throughout show varied skin tones consistent with the bold style used by the illustrator…Open-ended questions throughout create natural breaks for discussion.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“[R]eaders are launched into a close examination of plastic—how it came to be, how it’s made and used, and how it has changed the world, for better and for worse. The book objectively presents the petroleum-based substance’s contributions to the field of medicine and to the accessibility of manufactured goods alongside its increasingly harsh toll on the environment…Lee’s boldly colored digital illustrations attractively and neatly chart out complex phenomena such as microplastics consumption.”
—Publishers Weekly
“This book aims to make the topic of plastics accessible to a younger crowd. Beginning with a brief account of a wayward shipment of bath toys spilling into the Pacific Ocean and making their way across the globe, Kim uses a narrative nonfiction style…Full-page art further enhances the story, while smaller frames or diagrams help describe how plastic is created, how toxic pollutants fill the air, and how to achieve recycling and reusing.”
—School Library Journal
Plastic
Author: Eun-ju Kim
Illustrator: Ji-won Lee
Translator: Joungmin Lee Comfort
Published: 06 August 2019
“[T]ake a brightly colored look at plastic, starting with the story of bath toys set loose in the ocean. Even-handed and informative, the book details the many helpful uses of plastic, its damage to the environment, and the latest work in cleaning up, recycling, and reformulating plastics.”
—The Virginian-Pilot
“This Korean import is more than the history and manufacture of plastic…[I]llustrations are done in simple, subdued tones that easily explain past and present history…[S]imply and expertly explains the pros and cons of plastic making it very useful in any class on environmentalism, climate change and recycling…A timely and important subject.”
—Youth Services Book Review
“Plastic is one of the most celebrated and regrettable inventions that has become a presumed indispensable material throughout the world but at what cost? A thorough and highly engaging look at the history, facts and what do we do next with this long lasting material that has become increasingly abundant.”
—Jesica Sweedler-DeHart, Librarian Review, Neill Public Library