K-Gr 2-Based on an incident from the author's childhood, this story is set in Puchon, South Korea, in the summer of 1976. Although the mountain behind Yangsook's house is covered with peach orchards, the girl never gets to eat the fruit as it is so expensive. Then, during a heavy rainstorm, peaches begin to fall from the sky (apparently carried down the slope by the water) and the youngster and her family feast on the delicious, ripe fruit. That evening, she begins to think about the farmers who must be worried about the loss of their crop. The next day, she and her friends gather up all of the fallen peaches, load them into a cart, and carry them back up the mountain. The colorful illustrations clearly evoke the tale's setting and the emotions of the characters. Told from Yangsook's point of view, the narrative is sweet and direct. Choi prefaces the event by expressing the girl's longing for the peaches and, later, shows how the apparent answer to her prayers becomes an awakening of conscience and a concern for the plight of the farmers. Unfortunately, the storytelling is less extraordinary than the subject matter. Still, this is a good snapshot of a different time and place.-Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Yangsook believes that peach orchards in her part of Korea are the best part of Puchon, because a peach garden is a piece of heaven. But when a horrific hailstorm plucks the entire peach crop and miraculously rains them down into the neighborhood, just as it did in August 1976, how is it that these delicate, delicious morsels are unharmed, and what is to be done with them? A surprised town, knee-deep in flood waters, is relishing the mouth-watering peaches, but have not yet asked the next question, as they are busy rescuing the bobbing fruits. It is little Yangsook, empowered by her love of peaches and community who honors her beliefs by enlightening her neighbors as to what should be done. Yangsook's vision of peace and harmony mirrors Choi's personal experiences, and her thoughtful main character embodies the same pensive tone found in the soft brownish-greenish peachy palate, making the whole experience one tasty bite. (Picture book. 7-8)
06/10/2024
In 1976 Bucheon, young Yangsook is busy with homework, writing about “the best peaches in all of South Korea,” which are grown nearby. Though the “orchards painted the mountainside pink and orange,” the sweet fruits are expensive and can be hard to come by. Suddenly, an August storm sends peaches raining from the skies outside, carried down from the mountain. Yangsook gathers the windfall in an umbrella, and the family feasts on peaches that night. Later, realizing that the peach farmers on the mountainside have lost this year’s crop, the child comes up with a plan to restore part of their harvest. Modeling intergenerational community cooperation, Choi’s story, fully revised and re-illustrated nearly two decades after its initial publication, captures a moment in time via watercolor and pencil depictions that lean fittingly on green and peach hues. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. (July)
"Though first published in 2005, this edition’s new illustrations bring it firmly up to date, in a memoir that reads like a fairy tale of a community touched by a miracle." —School Library Journal (on the updated edition)
“Choi's vivid recollection of one extraordinary day takes on the timeless feel of a classic tale.” —Publishers Weekly
“The colored-pencil artwork, full-and double-page spread, has an appealing simplicity.” —Booklist
“Yangook's vision of peace and harmony mirrors Choi's personal experiences, and her thoughtful main character embodies the same pensive tone found in the soft brownish-greenish peachy palate, making the whole experience one tasty bite.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Deftly told and gracefully illustrated, Choi's vibrant and appealing childhood recollection is a memorable tale of a young person making a difference.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Colorful illustrations clearly evoke the tale's setting and the emotions of the characters. Told from Yangsook's point of view, the narrative is sweet and direct.” —School Library Journal
