cover image Magic Spring

Magic Spring

Nami Rhee. Putnam Publishing Group, $15.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-399-22420-1

Retelling a traditional Korean story, Rhee introduces a wealthy but greedy man who taunts his hard-working, elderly neighbors because they do not have a child. One day the couple discovers a miraculous spring, and a single sip from it restores them to the prime of youth. The greedy man, however, drinks up every magic drop--and regresses to infancy, whereupon the childless couple happily adopts him. First-time author Rhee skillfully employs the narrative arts of a traditional storyteller, including a leisurely exposition, judiciously chosen dialogue and vivid descriptions of the pastoral setting. Youngsters will also be intrigued by the Korean calligraphy that runs alongside each block of text. Rhee's Korean-style ink-and-watercolor art portrays the springtime landscape in soft blues and greens, while her fluid brushstroke outlines lend the art a traditional grace and the characters an unusual expressivity. Ages 4-8. (May)