Dayeon is visiting her grandmother and wishes she could be a haenyeo mermaid, a diver, like her. But she had a frightening experience last summer and now she's scared of the ocean. With her grandmother's gentle encouragement and lots of practice, she slowly returns to the sea. While her grandmother dives deep, Dayeon explores in the shallows and slowly begins to lose her fear. Eventually, she is able to dive deep and even though she is still frightened, with the support of her grandmother and the other haenyeo, she knows the ocean is now her home as well.
Back matter explains the history of the haenyeo tradition and how it is honored today. It's a beautiful picture of camaraderie among the women and respect for the natural resources they need.
The story reflects that beauty in its stunning lines and colors, showing the ocean alive with light and movement. Purples, blues, oranges, and yellows swirl across the page, with birds flying overhead and sea creatures flying through the waves below.
Verdict: This lovely work will appeal to a large number of children, from preschool storytimes about the ocean, swimming, and handling fears, to older elementary children learning about other cultures and traditions. A must-have addition to any library.
ISBN: 9781984814869; Published August 2020 by Kokila; Review copy provided by the publisher; Donated to the library
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