About This Book:
A child and her family take in refugees during the Korean War in this poignant picture book about courage and what it really means to care for your neighbors.
Every day, more and more people fleeing war in the north show up at Kyung Tak and her family’s house on the southeastern shore of Korea. With nowhere else to go, the Taks’ home is these migrants’ last chance of refuge “before falling into the sea,” and the household quickly becomes crowded, hot, and noisy. Then war sirens cry out over Kyung’s city too, and her family and their guests take shelter underground. When the sirens stop, Kyung is upset—she wishes everything could go back to the way it was before: before the sirens, before strangers started coming into their home. But after an important talk with her parents, her new friend Sunhee, and Sunhee’s father, Kyung realizes something important: We’re stronger when we have each other, and the kindness we show one another in the darkest of times is a gift we’ll never regret.
*Review Contributed By Bethany Wicker, Staff Reviewer*
Strength in Compassion and Numbers
Kyung’s house is the last house before reaching the sea and falling into it. Because of it’s location, it’s the best place for people to evacuate to during the Korean War as soldiers push them out of their homes. At first, Kyung doesn’t like the idea of all these people in her house, but she makes a new friend and learns that helping each other is important.
THE HOUSE BEFORE FALLING INTO THE SEA is a heartwarming story about people coming together in times of need. It also shows how a little kindness can go a long way because who knows where these people would have gone if Kyung’s family hadn’t opened their doors. The illustrations are stunning with their rich watercolor details and each spread makes you want to pause to take it all in. The illustrator’s style reminds me of a Studio Ghibli movie which is all that needs to be said. There’s also some more information in the back of the book for children to learn more through a glossary, author’s/illustrator’s note, and even some more questions to consider.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children aged six and up who enjoy stories about friendship, kindness, and history. While the Korean War brought hard times on its citizens, the people showed how strong they are by standing together and this book celebrates their unity.
