Maya and the Turtle: A Korean Fairy Tale

Product Description **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. From School Library Journal K-Gr 3-A folktale about self-sacrifice and love and how it is rewarded. Maya is foretold her destiny by her dying mother, who proclaims, "You will be a princess." But Maya grows up contentedly poor, loving, and humble. One day she finds a baby turtle and raises it as her pet as turtles are considered lucky in her culture. Her simple, happy life changes dramatically when her father falls ill and Maya needs money for his medicine. She has heard that a neighboring village will pay her to place herself up for sacrifice to a monster centipede that visits the village once a year. Maya confronts it but is saved by her fearless friend, the turtle, who fights it to the death. The village is elated and news spreads quickly to the Emperor of heaven and earth. Maya is betrothed to his son, and the two reign peacefully ever after. The tale is simply told and includes supplemental notes on each page that explain certain aspects of Korean culture, such as the legend of the turtle and artifacts of the people and their beliefs. Unfortunately, the notes sometimes interrupt the flow of the text. For the most part, the illustrations are traditional Korean depictions, but elements of American expressions and facial features find their way onto the page, especially in the couples' wedding portrait in which the bride favors a certain American iconic doll. The illustration of the many cultures represented at the wedding also attempts a certain diversity that borders on stereotype. The tale itself is a familiar one with a lovely sentiment, but it's an optional purchase.-C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Review "This is a great tale that teaches a good moral and gives insight to Korean culture." --Multicultural Fairy Tales blog"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"I…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." --Book Dragon blog"The husband-and-wife team of Stickler and Han retells a fairy tale from Han's childhood, in which a young woman's kindness and bravery are rewarded handsomely." --Publishers Weekly"I liked this book because I like turtles. I liked that the Turtle saved Maya after she saved it. I thought the people were pretty and had pretty clothes and I thought the Turtle was fun t