Land of Morning Calm: Korean Culture Then and Now

by John Stickler, Soma Han (Illustrator)

Skipping Stones Honor Award, Skipping Stones Magazine Take a journey to both ancient and modern Korea, where you will find a rich world of history and traditions that will capture your imagination and whet your appetite for learning more about this fascinating culture. What was life like in Ancient Korea? What did people eat? What did they believe in? How is it different now? Take a journey to both ancient and modern Korea, where you will find a rich world of history and traditions that will capture your imagination and whet your appetite for learning more about this fascinating culture. Read about the legend behind the founding of Korea, the meaning of the flag, and the creation of the Korean alphabet. Learn how to make kimchi, how to celebrate Korean holidays, and how people ironed their clothes before electricity. Every page explains an aspect of Korean culture and its changes through the years. As North and South Korea quickly become important players in global politics, Land of Morning Calm gives us a better understanding of the people behind the news and the traditions we don't get to see on television. It opens a window into another way of life, reminding us once again that we are all as similar as we are different.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Spent nine years in Seoul as a radio reporter for CBS News.

Reviews

[Samuel Hatch]

This book is a delightful and visually captivating crash course on Korea. Despite its slim, picture-book format, Land of Morning Calm offers plenty of value for adult readers looking for a gentle, artistic introduction to the peninsula's rich history. Stickler’s writing clearly stems from an intimate, firsthand appreciation of the country, ensuring the tone remains deeply respectful and informative.

[Mathew Kelly]

The creative decision to blend these classic paintings with actual photographs works wonderfully. It allows you to literally see the evolution of "then" to "now" on the exact same page.The only minor drawback is that because it tries to cover so much ground from alphabets to martial arts some topics feel like they wrap up just as they get interesting. Nevertheless, it is a gorgeous coffee-table addition and a fantastic starting point for anyone newly curious about Korean heritage.

[Alex Freida]

This book is highly recommended as a visual springboard into Korean culture. While complex prose might require a parent or educator to read along with younger children, the exceptional artistry and thoughtful categorization make it a timeless addition to any home library.

[Elle]

This provided a good overview of a lot of historical and cultural aspects of Korea. I took note of a few topics I want to research further ~

[Karen Bessin]

An in-depth look at traditional and modern Korean culture, covering topics from mythology to the flag, fashion, food, writing, celebrations, and many beliefs and traditions. A nice blend of detailed text and colorful illustrations by Soma Han. (Genre: Nonfiction. Ages11-14)

[Dolly]

Since I'm in Korea, I figured I might as well learn something about the history and culture of Korea. I raided the children's non-fiction section for short, colorful books about the nation. This is a great book; it's not too long and has lots of interesting facts about the country: it's people, foods, religion, art, symbology, language and cultural influences from other countries, primarily China and Japan. I think this is an excellent book for parents and teachers to read with children.

[Crystal]

This book packs in a lot of information about Korea. I felt that they covered a lot of ground. I would have liked a little more information about the dividing of the country during the cold war, but this is a children's book. I also wondered when K-Pop started because it wasn't mentioned in the music section. I enjoyed learning, but it left me wanting to know more. I guess that is a good thing. I am going to have to seek out more information.

[Jacki]

Was very informative for such a short book. Glad I found it.