Description

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**WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL 2013-2014 MORNING CALM MEDAL**

This multicultural children's book presents a heartwarming Korean fairy tale about a little girl and a fortunate encounter.

Poverty is all Maya has ever known, but she doesn't allow it to stop her from caring for her father, and others, as best she can. Kind and gentle, she is a lovely young girl who always puts others first. One day, she finds a little turtle and takes him home, raising and loving him, never knowing that he will play an instrumental part in her destiny.

Similar to The Korean Cinderella, Maya and the Turtle, is an original Korean fairy tale by authors John Stickler and Soma Han that teaches children that the road to greatness lies in selflessness and that the loving kindness of a pure heart can awaken great love and power in another. Beautifully illustrated by Han, this book contains fascinating bits of information about Korean culture and is a poignant tale about the rewards of kindness, patience and courage.

About the Author

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Soma Han is a native of Korea. After studying under Korea's leading sculptor Lee II Young, she earned a BA in literature as well as a BFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts. Soma is a painter, sculptor, mosaic artist and book illustrator whose work has been exhibited in galleries in the U.S., Korea and Hong Kong. Visit her website at somahan.org John C. Stickler is a graduate of Yale University and spent thirteen years in Korea working in advertising and news reporting. He has had a long career in letters, including publishing, editing and travel writing. He and Soma live in Arizona. Together they co-authored Land of Morning Calm: Korean Culture Then and Now (Shens Books).

Praise For…

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"This delightful tale features a generous heroine with a glorious destiny that she has yet to fulfill. When her father falls ill, Maya is determined to cure him. With the help of her lucky turtle friend, she faces the evil centipede that haunts a neighboring village to get the supplies she needs to help her father. Engaging illustrations and facts about Korean culture sprinkled throughout make the book worthwhile."—Stepping Stones

"An original folk tale set in Korea tells the story of a selfless young maiden who is sacrificed to the monster in the neighboring village. […] The core of the story (a girl sacrifices herself to aid her ailing father) is both strong from a plot point and a significant theme in Korean tales…"—Kirkus Reviews

"In between "Long, long ago …" and "… happily ever after," is a story passed down from grandmother to mother to daughter, as co-author and illustrator Soma Han writes in her "AuthorÆs Note." That in itself is a lovely tale indeed. […] The husband-and-wife team create their second title together, drawing on Han's Korean heritage, and Stickler's 13 years of Korean residency. To the couple's credit, their version gets a 21st-century update: almost every page has a contextual note explaining something cultural, historical, or just downright tongue-in-cheek; and the multi-culti angle gets celebrated with a strikingly detailed, full spread—the royal couple is indeed flanked by "people from many lands," many colors, many cultures and backgrounds. Hope springs eternal for world peace.""—BookDragon.com