A Spoonful of the Sea

By Hyewon Yum

A birthday soup reveals a tradition linking mothers, daughters, and the sea.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 184 ratings

32 pages

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

On her birthday, a girl receives seaweed soup instead of cake, sparking a tale of tradition. Her mother shares stories of haenyeo, women divers who harvest the ocean's bounty, and a legacy born from a whale's wisdom. This heartfelt journey explores the bond between mothers and daughters, celebrating a tradition that honors life and nature. Will the girl embrace this heritage, or yearn for the sweetness of cake? Discover the deep-rooted connections that bind generations in this luminous tale of love and legacy.

From the publisher

On her birthday, a girl is presented with a bowl of miyeokguk, seaweed soup–instead of the cake she wants. As she stirs her soup, her mother tells her how mothers eat it after giving birth and how it is served on birthdays to honor them; about haenyeo, women who dive into the ocean’s depths to harvest shellfish and seaweed; and how, many mothers ago, a pregnant haenyeo saw a whale eating seaweed after giving birth and tried it after having her own baby–creating a tradition that would continue for generations of daughters to come.Award-winning picture book creator Hyewon Yum has crafted a luminous and heartfelt celebration of motherhood, heritage, and the deep-rooted connection between women and nature.

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