The House Before Falling Into the Sea, written by Ann Suk Wang and illustrated by Hanna Cha. Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"After crossing 205 miles from the northwestern
shore, Mr. Kim, a fisherman from Incheon,
thanked us for helping him and his daughter, 
Sunhee. 

"With enemies at our backs, yours is the 
house before falling into the sea.""

In all the years that I have been reading picture books, I cannot remember reading one about the Korean War. It begins near a house close to the sea where a little girl is playing. From that house, her family watches as many travelers make their way to the front door. Her parents welcome the travelers; the young girl hides behind her father. She is told the many guests will be staying. 

When Sunhee and her father arrive, the little one finds a new friend. Sunhee takes her aside to let her know that they are where they are because 'some men from the north' took her father's boat and their family was forced to flee. The chaos grows in the house as more and more people find refuge from the war. Neither girl is happy with all the noise; together, they make their way to the seashore. 

When the sirens blare their loud warnings, the two are terrified and run for an agreed-upon hiding place. Underground, they are safe with the women and children while the men stand watch from above. It is a very difficult time. The child only wants things to be normal again. Her Umma and Appa appease her fears while explaining that they will do what they can to help others when their help is needed. 

Sunhee's father adds to her understanding of the importance of what their family is doing. 

"Because without your umma and appa opening your doors to us, 
we would have had no other place to go. Soldiers might have chased
us further, until we fell into the sea. 

Being here with you, safe, is a gift that Sunhee and I 
will never forget.""

In an author's note, Anm Suk Wang explains that the idea came from hearing her mother's stories of life during the Korean War when she was just a child. The illustrator reports that she based her artwork on her grandmother's remembrances of the same time. Created with watercolor, sumi ink, water-soluble color pencils, Photoshop, gouache, and poster colors, the stunning illustrations place readers in an historical time and place. Back matter also includes questions for the reader's consideration, a glossary, and a section on names chosen for their meaning in Korean culture. 

"Our visitors are not stones we can toss  

to the sea. They are people, our neighbors, 
to help and to love."