Publishers Weekly
06/15/2020
Introducing an ingenuous girl who has just moved from South Korea to the U.S. with her parents, Kim’s debut radiates positivity, inclusivity, and hope. Danbi bravely enters her classroom on the first day at her new school to encounter a gaggle of staring, curious kids who speak a different language than she does. Though Danbi initially feels excluded when she tries unsuccessfully to join in new activities, her mood soon brightens. When it’s time to open their lunches, Danbi thinks, “That, I knew how to do!” and she shares her meal (“Yams in honey, crystal dumplings,” and more) with her impressed classmates, offering a chopsticks lesson that erupts—joyously—into cacophonous, makeshift music-making and a playground parade. South Korean–born Kim (who, like her heroine, emigrated to the U.S. as a child) offers upbeat illustrations of the children in action, which magnify the story’s high spirits—and Danbi’s triumph. Ages 3–7. (July)
From the Publisher
⭐ "Enchanting illustrations dazzle—particularly through the diverse characters’ hair and facial expressions that detail individuals’ unique traits while celebrating the entire cohort. According to the author’s note, the story is inspired by the creator’s own “bicultural identity,” and the endpapers encapsulate an immigrant child’s journey: the poignant departure and the prosaic pleasures of new friends will resonate with readers of all ages. Imaginative, irreverent, improvisational fun in kindergarten: Danbi shares a burst of “sweet rain,” complete with a rainbow" —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A sweet and helpful book for children who are nervous about moving or starting a new school—or any big change." —School Library Journal
"The expressive illustrations and the joyful onomatopoeia of the text make this an enjoyable read-aloud and especially reassuring for a child starting at a new school." —Booklist
“Charming illustrations tell the tale of a young Korean immigrant child’s first day of school, from tragedy to triumph. And what kid reading this book wouldn’t identify with Danbi when she thinks, with utter misery, “But nobody would play with me”? Did I already say it was charming? I did, but it bears repeating. Charming, charming, charming” —Betsy Bird, author and creator of the blog A Fuse #8 Production
“Funny, warmhearted, generous. Energetic and delicate at the same time. (I am) urging everyone I know to buy Danbi [Leads the School Parade]. Danbi will light up the bookshelves of any home.” —Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal-winning author of A Single Shard
School Library Journal
06/01/2020
PreS-Gr 2—Danbi, an immigrant from Korea, is feeling anxious on her first day of school in America. Her heart pounds as she enters the classroom. Everyone stares at her. Even though many of the class activities and games are new, she participates as best as she can. During lunchtime, kids are curious about how to use her chopsticks, so she shows them and then leads them on a musical parade around the school. Kim, a debut author, has created detailed illustrations in soft colors, highlighting Danbi's fears and then the brighter spots in a brand new setting. VERDICT A sweet and helpful book for children who are nervous about moving or starting a new school—or any big change.—Noureen Qadir-Jafar, Syosset Lib., NY
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2020-05-17
All together now: Food, dance, and music combine for magic that transcends language barriers.
The charming cover of this read-aloud captures the Korean protagonist in a commanding pose, balanced on tiptoes, ready to perform. Still, Danbi feels anxious: “On the first day of my new school in America, my heart beat: Boom. Boom.” Her palpable turmoil builds as she tries unfamiliar activities, yet, by lunchtime, her nervous heartbeat evolves into drum rolls cueing Danbi’s creative impulses. Her classmates’ singular reaction to her traditional Korean lunch—“Wow!”—signals the transformative powers of Danbi’s favorite foods, exquisitely presented in tiered containers: “Yams in honey, crystal dumplings…rainbow drops, and half-moon rice cakes dipped in sweet sesame!” Classmates’ attempts to use chopsticks become comical antics; soon, Danbi is leading everyone through recess in spontaneous, triumphant pageantry. Enchanting illustrations dazzle—particularly through the diverse characters’ hair and facial expressions that detail individuals’ unique traits while celebrating the entire cohort. According to the author’s note, the story is inspired by the creator’s own “bicultural identity,” and the endpapers encapsulate an immigrant child’s journey: the poignant departure and the prosaic pleasures of new friends will resonate with readers of all ages.
Imaginative, irreverent, improvisational fun in kindergarten: Danbi shares a burst of “sweet rain,” complete with a rainbow. (Picture book. 4-7)
