Korean and English Nursery Rhymes

June 10, 2013
Children and animals drawn in a palette of tropical colors cavort through Wright’s charismatic collection of 14 traditional Korean songs and nursery rhymes; each rhyme appears in English and Korean Hanguel characters, as well as phonetic form. The selections touch upon themes of mother and child togetherness, make-believe creatures, play, nature, and even potty training. Wright also notes how certain songs, games, and ideas are similar cross-culturally: a group game like “Little Fox” is played much like “Duck Duck Goose,” and, for Korean children, the figure in the moon is a rabbit, rather than a man. In a sleepy, celestial rhyme, the moon rabbit crosses the sky: “Without sail and without oar/ He glides to a western shore/ Across the Milky Way to the land of clouds.” An audio CD includes recordings of the rhymes in both Korean and English. Ages 4–8.

April 15, 2013
Consider this collection Kindermusik that teaches English or Korean as a second language. Like singing in a round, there is a lot going on--it is fun and exciting and very busy. Each part deserves attention. First, the book can stand alone as a bilingual book of 14 children's nursery rhymes. Chirpy, simple and bright, the traditional rhymes may puzzle a bit in translation. "Little one, little one, clap your hands / Little one, little one, raise your hands up / Little one, little one, see you later"; in the context of a jump-rope rhyme, it makes sense, but alone, it's a little mystifying. Second, the language translation is repeated three times: first in Hanguel script, then in Romanized, phonetic Korean and finally in English. The types of rhymes are universal: games to decide who will be the next person "out," rhymes to teach babies basic concepts and even a version of "Duck Duck Goose." Finally, the music CD allows readers to listen to correct pronunciation, with each song (played by guitar and sung by young children) performed in Korean and then English. The illustrations are two-dimensional and cartoony, with round bodies and smiling eyes. Both unusual and useful, for this ever-shrinking world. (pronunciation guide, guide to the CD) (Nursery rhymes/bilingual. 1-5)

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July 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 2-Brightly colored, predominately in oranges and purple, this book presents 14 nursery rhymes, many of which are songs. The CD follows the book with each tune first sung in Korean, and followed by the English version. All of the numbers are interpreted with a Western-sounding melody, acoustic guitar, and young people singing. Overall, they are soothing enough for bedtime listening. The stylized artwork appears to be digitally enhanced, with large swatches of saturated color and plenty of elements from the rhymes, such as butterflies, blossoms, and children at play. Just as the melodies have a familiar feeling, so do the rhymes, which feature topics such as jump-rope games, naming facial features, and getting a little fright from a goblin. Each line of the text is written in Korean, followed by the transliteration in bold print, and then the English translation. A pronunciation guide is included, as are explanatory notes of interest that situate the rhymes within Korean culture. Early language-learning and culture-appreciation classes will be aided by this fun and colorful volume.-Teresa Pfeifer, The Springfield Renaissance School, Springfield, MA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2013
This collection of nursery rhymes is presented in Korean script, Romanized Korean, and English. The subjects have universal appeal, although the English translations don't always scan well. The fourteen rhymes/songs are each accompanied by a note about the topic, Korean culture, or suggestions for sharing. The vividly colored, stylized illustrations are welcoming ambassadors to the material. A CD in English and Korean is included, sources are not.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)