Excellent Award Winner, 6th Woongjin Junior Picture Book Contest

"The expressions on each grain of rice are imbued with such warmth, making our hearts swell even as we smile." "It's astonishing how the simple process of making a single kimbap roll can be so deeply moving."

A deliciously thrilling picture book! This story vividly and humorously recounts how ingredients like rice, cucumber, carrot, egg, and spinach come together to become a tasty kimbap roll. Each ingredient is given its own personality and emotions, working together, overcoming obstacles, and ultimately transforming into delicious kimbap. The book not only illustrates the process of making kimbap but also conveys the warmth and care that go into preparing food.

English translation available upon request!

In a steaming rice pot, a single grain of rice hatches a bold plan—to escape the pot and embark on a new journey. It meets a sheet of seaweed, shares many stories, and gathers its old friends—cucumber, carrot, egg strip, bracken, and spinach—to carry out a grand scheme.

After a series of cheerful preparations, everyone finally completes their tasks and lies down one by one on the crisp seaweed. Everything seems to be going smoothly until suddenly—rip—the side of the seaweed splits open...

In this book, whether it’s the timid burdock root, the always "ahem"-ing serious ham, or the delightfully fluffy egg strip, each ingredient showcases its unique charm through appearance and personality. Filled with lively onomatopoeia and mimetic words like swish, shhh, oh no, and thump thump, the story adds endless fun to the reading experience. Although they go through roasting, cooling, and even face a crisis while being rolled during their journey to become kimbap, they encourage and support one another, ultimately succeeding in transforming into delicious sushi rolls. This book elevates the everyday cooking process into an artistic narrative through a story that is both tense and heartwarming.

“Minji!” “Jinu!” “Hajin!” “Sangwoo! Let’s go on a picnic!” These calls carry the deep affection of preparing a lunchbox with care for someone special. The destination and companions of a picnic may vary, but the process of thoughtfully preparing food for someone—selecting ingredients, roasting, rolling, slicing, and packing with care—is a shared experience. The author presents this process with such joy and vividness that it deeply captivates readers. Illustrations like spinach taking a “half-bath” (blanching) or carrots getting a “haircut” (trimming) bring smiles effortlessly. Especially in the ending scene, where various kimbap rolls dance their way out the door, it offers a sense of healing to those longing to break free from the pressures of daily life.

Picnic Day, with its fresh and aromatic kimbap, won the Excellent Award at the 6th Woongjin Junior Picture Book Contest. Praised by judges for its warm character expressions and vivid depiction of the cooking process, this book brings both laughter and emotion to its readers. With bold lines, vibrant colors, and the lively portrayal of graphic text and characters, it creates a strong sense of rhythm that keeps readers engaged with every turn of the page.

Author Kim Kyu-ha skillfully uses bright colors such as yellow, green, and orange to create clear and striking visual effects. Scenes like sesame oil droplets falling against a bright fluorescent yellow background or kimbap unfurling like a rainbow feel both lively and intense. Meanwhile, the soft blue scenes or the focused moments of pressing and shaping the kimbap make readers pause and hold their breath. Now, let’s immerse ourselves in the deliciously fragrant world of Picnic Day.

Kim Kyu-ha
Sometimes I miss the flavors of my childhood. That day, I found myself especially lost in thoughts of gimbap. The sleepless night before a picnic, the diligent sounds coming from the kitchen since morning, the lunchbox wrapped in a beautifully colored cloth, and the neatly arranged gimbap inside when the lid is opened—even if it looks similar to others, I can always recognize my family's gimbap. I created this picture book inspired by memories of a cozy day when we chattered away while sharing gimbap from different households. On days when I crave gimbap, I often make it myself and say, "I miss my family's gimbap." I hope you read this book while thinking of your own gimbap, and with someone you love. After all, gimbap tastes best when shared!