About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is fixated on being a big kid or feels frustrated by the limits of their current age. It is a perfect selection for families celebrating Seollal or for any parent looking to introduce the concept of the Lunar New Year through the lens of a universal childhood desire: growing up. The story follows Sohee, who believes that eating tteokguk (rice cake soup) is the magical key to finally becoming a big girl. Through her journey, the book explores themes of patience, family tradition, and the joyful anticipation of a holiday. Appropriate for children ages 4 to 8, this book uses the specific Korean tradition of gaining a year on New Year's Day to anchor a relatable emotional arc. It is an excellent choice for building cultural literacy and self-confidence. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's ambition while celebrating the warmth of multigenerational family connections and the ritual of preparing a traditional meal together.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is entirely secular and celebratory. There are no heavy or distressing themes.
Ideal Reader
A preschooler or kindergartner who is constantly comparing themselves to older siblings or cousins and needs to feel seen in their desire for agency and maturity.
