The Legend of Ban-Dal
A New Korean Folktale
“Small, determined” Su-Kyoung lives in a lovely village beneath a mountain. Her people fish each day for the food they need, taking no more than that from the nearby stream. Then a visitor calls their practices into question, planting seeds of greed and gluttony; soon, Su-Kyoung’s idyllic surroundings are depleted. She is sent on a quest to lift a curse whose origins her neighbors do not yet recognize as trickery. A mythical bear helps her toward a transformative revelation; the bear is itself transformed for its kindness. This thoughtful folk tale’s morals are complemented by dreamlike graphite-and-ink illustrations that honor the intricate grandeur of nature.
Reviewed by
Michelle Anne Schingler
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
