Sora’s Seashells: A Name Is a Gift to Be Treasured
Written by Helena Ku Rhee
Illustrated by Stella Lim and Ji-Hyuk Kim
Published by Candlewick Press
Every summer, when Sora’s Halmoni, or grandmother, visits from South Korea, the two of them take the bus to the beach to search for seashells. While Sora likes to take all of them back with her, Halmoni always leaves the prettiest shell for someone else to find and treasure. As summer turns to fall, Halmoni returns home and Sora starts kindergarten, where some of the kids tease her about her “weird” name. One day, Sora’s parents receive a sad call about her grandmother, and Sora feels more lost than ever about who she is and how she fits in. But when her parents reveal the origin of her name, Sora channels a newfound pride and, inspired by Halmoni, combats her peers’ hurtful comments by sharing her shells with everyone in her class.
Primary ISBN: 9781536209938
Publication Date: May 2023
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 04 or older
Community Represented: Korean/Korean American
Themes: Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Identity, Discrimination: Racial, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Family Relationship: Parents, Names & Pronunciations, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Trauma & Healing: Death of Family or Friend
Setting: United States
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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