New work by an award-winning author of the Korean Picture Book Publishing Association Picture Book Contest.
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Soft and wobbly, is someone like me really a pearl?
After a long wait, a pearl was born inside the mother clam's shell. But this pearl was soft, wobbly, and somehow different from the others. Nourished by her mother's love, Pearl grew up and entered "Pearl School" to become the best pearl she could be. She diligently followed her teacher's lessons in order to become a round, white, and large pearl, but her body kept changing color on its own and its shape kept shifting unexpectedly. This story, about realizing how to shine in one's own way instead of striving to be the best, awakens readers to the preciousness of being true to oneself.

"Once you open it, you'll want to read it to the end, and after finishing, you'll want to open it again."
—A picture book recommended by children's author Song Mikyung!

Everyone says I have to be round, but I have things I'm better at!

The third picture book by Suh Su-in, who gained attention for her unique artistic style and inventive ideas after winning the 1st Korean Picture Book Publishing Association Picture Book Contest, has been published. I Am an Octopus is the story of an octopus born to a mother clam who strives to become the world's best pearl, only to discover how to shine in her own way.

The mother clam, who nurtured her child by seeing and hearing only the good, finally meets her long-awaited baby. Smooth and shiny, yet somehow soft and wobbly, the baby is different from other pearls. But to the mother, even this appearance is simply adorable and precious. Before long, our protagonist Pearl grows up and enters school. From the very first day, Pearl and her friends undergo special training to become the best pearls. Although Pearl tries hard, she struggles to keep up with the lessons like her friends do. When she rubs herself with seaweed to shine bright white, her body turns the color of seaweed. When the teacher spins her with the "Round-and-Round Whirligig Wand" to make her rounder, her eight long legs only become more tangled. When she holds her breath to grow into a large pearl, she ends up spewing ink and turning the entire classroom black. Can our precious Pearl truly transform into a round, magnificent, best-ever pearl?

I shine like a treasure even in the deep sea,
you know what? I really, really like myself!

Author Suh Su-in discovered the seed of the story I Am an Octopus in a dream she had one night. In the dream, she went out to the sea as usual, and as the water receded, a giant clam appeared. She opened the clam, expecting to find a glittering pearl—but instead, a squishy octopus slid out. From this endearing octopus dream, the author draws a wise and cheerful insight about being oneself. The self that strives to become the proper pearl everyone envisions is certainly radiant—but the soft, free self, just as it is, is also a shining pearl. Young readers will delight in the protagonist's flexible movements as she stretches her long legs, and will come to understand the importance of existing happily as "oneself." This picture book goes beyond simply loving and affirming oneself as they are, encouraging readers to face themselves with confidence and wisdom.

My precious child, thank you for being born!
Grow up healthy—that's all I could ever wish for.

At the heart of discovering that "I am wonderful and beautiful just as I am" lies the unwavering love and support of Mother Clam. Her words—"just grow up healthy, no matter what form you take"—echo the wish every parent has held since the moment their child came into their lives. Parent readers will follow Mother Clam's gaze and heart as she sends her child to school for the first time, and will be deeply moved by the protagonist's journey of growing up by finding her own way. This work celebrates the radiant birth of a child, carrying the heartfelt gratitude: "Thank you for coming into this world, and I'm so proud of you for growing up so well."

A meeting of inventive ideas and a unique artistic style!
Published as part of the Wisdom House Picture Book Workshop

I Am an Octopus is a publication from the 3rd cohort of the Wisdom House Picture Book Workshop. Born and raised in Tongyeong, a town known for its wide shores and clear seas, the author has brought to life a story about an octopus inside a clam—an idea she had held for a long time. The harmony between the clear underwater scenery and the characters, reminiscent of our own vibrant children, is especially striking. The compelling presentation, which masterfully combines a comic-like composition with refreshing painterly illustrations, makes it impossible to look away from the book. The world inside this picture book, teeming with life like a live fish darting through water, feels so vivid it could truly exist somewhere beneath the sea. The cheerful, spirited ending—one that anyone can relate to—leaves readers with a deep sense of satisfaction after turning the final page. This is a masterful work that makes you want to continually explore the ocean of Suh Su-in's picture books.

Suh Su-in

I was born and raised in Tongyeong. I loved setting out to the sea that spread wide before my house. This story began with a dream I had one night. In the dream, I went to the sea as usual, trying to gather a basket full of conches, but the tidal flat was filled with water. Suddenly, the seawater rushed out, and a giant clam appeared. I carefully opened it, expecting there to be an enormous pearl inside. But then—no, how could this be! I thought it would be a round, shiny pearl, but instead, a squishy octopus slid out. I Am an Octopus is a story about wanting to live as myself. The books I have written and illustrated so far include A Hole in the Sock and Scratch Scratch.