Publishers Weekly
07/31/2023
At 601 years old, two goblin twins, considered by other dokkaebi as “babies, and very silly ones, too,” are quite different from each other. Orange-hued with a single horn, Doki “did not like scaring people,” preferring to offer gifts and to read books. Blue, two-horned Kebi “liked scaring people a bit too much. And he loved to explore,” Cha writes. Learning that the abandoned house they live in will soon be demolished, the twins head for a place where people visit haunted houses desiring to be frightened—and land in New York City. Portrayed with intensely saturated color that adds depth and dimensionality, Kim’s digital illustrations of the siblings’ house-hunt supply movement and humor to their ongoing debates over what kind of new home to choose and how to decorate for Halloween. It all leads to their amusing final reaction to a horde of trick-or-treaters. Based in Korean lore, this read’s a treat any day of the year. An author’s note concludes. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
★ "A frightful delight....Cha’s writing is excellently paced and entertaining, while the digital illustrations are filled with bright colors and bring the charming characters to life." —School Library Journal, starred review
"A sweet, comical Halloween venture for all." —Kirkus Reviews
"Based in Korean lore, this read’s a treat any day of the year." —Publishers Weekly
"Cartoony digital illustrations give the dokkaebi-shown as colorful, blobby, rosy-cheeked tricksters-personality and provide funny, scene-setting details." —The Horn Book
"Kim’s digital illustrations are adorable, vibrant, and just spooky enough for any haunted storytime....A great, not-so-scary pick for little listeners." —Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
2023-06-21
A pair of mischievous siblings discover a new world.
At 601 years old, Doki and Kebi are considered goofy and immature by the other dokkaebi (Korean goblins). Yet that doesn’t hold them back from pursuing their own interests. Doki, who is bright orange with purple hair and one yellow horn, doesn’t like to scare people and instead gives them gold or silver, which he magically conjures up with his club. He also loves spending time in the abandoned house where he lives, reading books. Kebi, his blue-skinned, green-haired, two-horned twin, is his opposite. He loves “scaring people a bit too much” as well as exploring. After hearing that their house in Seoul is going to be demolished, Kebi suggests that the two go to New York, where “there are haunted houses, and people go visit them because they WANT to be scared!” After much reflection Doki agrees, and the two are comically portrayed riding in the engine of a plane on its way to America. Cha’s narrative is straightforward yet humorous; an author’s note offering more information on dokkaebi rounds out the tale. Kim artfully employs dark hues and shadows with spots of bright color to invoke a spooky yet friendly tone, especially when a group of trick-or-treaters ends up giving the endearing dokkaebi a scare of their own. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sweet, comical Halloween venture for all. (Picture book. 5-8)
