The Ocean Calls

The Ocean Calls follows Dayeon, a Korean girl who visits her grandmother, a haenyeo diver on Jeju Island. The haenyeo are women who dive without oxygen tanks to harvest seafood, carrying on a generations-old tradition. Dayeon wants to learn free-diving like her grandmother but struggles with fear of the ocean. Her grandmother helps guide her through the basics of becoming a "baby diver" and teaches her about the haenyeo way of life. Through text and illustrations, the book documents the skills, gear, and practices of these female divers. The story incorporates Korean words and cultural elements throughout. The narrative celebrates female strength, intergenerational bonds, and the preservation of cultural heritage. It introduces young readers to a unique community of women while exploring themes of courage and perseverance.

Readers appreciate the book's authentic portrayal of haenyeo culture and the grandmother-granddaughter relationship. Many parents note it helps children understand Korean traditions while teaching perseverance. The illustrations by Jess X. Snow receive frequent mention for capturing the underwater scenes and emotional moments. Multiple reviewers highlight how the book addresses anxiety and fear through Dayeon's journey. A teacher on Goodreads wrote: "Perfect for discussing growth mindset with students." Some readers mention the text is longer than expected for a picture book, making it better suited for older children rather than preschoolers. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (584 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (86 ratings) Barnes & Noble: 5/5 (11 ratings) Notable recognition: - Junior Library Guild Selection - Freeman Book Award Honorable Mention - Bank Street College Best Children's Books of the Year

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🌊 Haenyeo (the Korean diving women featured in the book) can hold their breath for up to two minutes while diving for seafood in cold ocean waters. 👵 Most modern-day haenyeo are elderly women, with many in their 70s and 80s still actively diving. The tradition is slowly fading as fewer young women choose this profession. 🎨 Illustrator Jess X. Snow created the artwork for the book using digital paintings, bringing the underwater world of Jeju Island to life with vibrant blues and greens. 🏆 The Ocean Calls received the Freeman Book Award for Children's Literature in 2021, recognizing its contribution to increasing understanding of East and Southeast Asia. 🗺️ Author Tina Cho was inspired to write this story while living in South Korea, where she taught at an international school and learned about the haenyeo culture firsthand.