The Kirkus Reviews said: “Whimsically varied perspectives” and the publisher description says: A witty, weird, and wonderful spin on a classic Korean folktale.” Moon Pops is all that and more. This (according to publisher description) is the first picture book for Heena Baek to be published in English (translated by Jieun Kiaer). Moon Pops has a folktale feeling, and a translated tone. This means that you are getting something that can feel a bit “sophisticated” and maybe a smidgen “talking down” to the younger reader.
Moon Pops is a book that is really meant for older readers/listeners and adults in my book. The story of a steaming hot night, a melting moon and a clever Granny comes together in ways that recall the community of a city block but also the family of a country home. The biggest issue I had, and the reason I realized the book was translated, is at the end two rabbits show up and are said to have lived in the moon. There is nothing before that to let you know of this part of Korean mythology. These aliens just show up after a night of the apartment complex having a moon pop (the melted moon frozen into popsicles) party.
Again, publisher description says: “illustrated in otherworldly mixed-media” and it is otherworldly for certain. It has a soft, dark look that makes it seem like something creepy is around the corner, but with the lights in the right places, it highlights the feeling of togetherness. It is a quirky story, colorful even with the darker colors that are used to show nighttime. The light of the moon is not always center page but does draw your attention.
