YOUNGHO AND CHADORI

A grieving Korean boy hopes to regain happiness on Christmas in this illustrated children’s book, the first in a trilogy.

Although Christmas isn’t a traditional Korean celebration, many families give presents to young kids then because “small children loved Christmas regardless of tradition and religion.” For Youngho Kim, 12, getting something special this year would mean a lot. He slides into trouble and has been grounded after the most recent incident when he somehow managed to dump a bucket of kimchi on a teacher’s head. More seriously, his beloved grandpa, who’d lived with the family, died unexpectedly last year, and Youngho misses him greatly. Just about the only thing Youngho enjoys these days is taking his dog, Chadori, for long walks around his home in a Seoul suburb. The boy’s heart breaks when the spaniel he adores is diagnosed with cancer and must be euthanized. He becomes withdrawn, quiet, and even avoids his best friend, Manu. By Christmas Eve, though, Youngho regains some holiday spirit. Rather than any other present, he wishes he could see Grandad and Chadori again. That night, Youngho awakens to find his Grandad in his room, dressed in a Santa suit that resembles the traditional Korean hanbok formal dress, accompanied by Chadori. Rejoicing, the boy is astonished to learn that Grandad is serving as one of Father Christmas’s present-delivering helpers this year. “Your wish has built a bridge of sorts,” Grandad explains, and he invites Youngho to come with him, visit “the feast of Christmas spirits all over the world,” and “get a glimpse of the spirit realm at the same time!” As Book 1 ends, grandfather, grandson, and their dog step out together into a portal of light.

In her debut book, Chu builds on the Dickensian tradition of a Christmas ghost story, signaling her intention with an epigraph from A Christmas Carol. As in that tale, suffering and loss are met with the season’s cheerful goodwill, which requires a change of heart for the main character. Youngho is no Scrooge, but he certainly needs help to regain his natural optimism. His grief isn’t downplayed, but Chu keeps the tone from getting too dark by including comic bits, such as a paragraph on Chadori’s toxic farts. The Christmas presented here is almost entirely secular; for example, Youngho’s older sister plans to go to a Protestant service this year because that’s where all the cute boys will be. Rather than a church, here an interior-design shop filled with attractive baubles for sale best represents the spirit of the season. Again, though, this conception of Christmas resembles Dickens’ focus on feasting, parties, fun, dancing, and family closeness. Chu writes vividly, which contrasts with Youngho’s depressed mood by pointing out that part of him is still able to notice sights like a sunset coloring “everything red, gold, pink, purple and orange, just like before” when he used to walk Chadori. The unresolved ending is somewhat unsatisfying, but a preview of the next book provides first steps toward bridging the gap. Chu’s whimsical, doodle-y illustrations have energy, a goofy sweetness, and a rich palette, nicely reflecting the season, the plot, and Youngho’s personality.

An unusual and effective linking of grief with a cross-cultural celebration of Christmas.