Description Today is Chuseok! The whole family gathered to hold the ancestral memorial rite (charye) and visit the family graves. The whole village burst into a festive celebration. Heave-ho! A round of ssireum wrestling, pull together! A game of tug-of-war, and everyone joined hands for a joyful round of ganggangsullae! At night, everyone looked up at the big, round full moon and made a wish. "Dear Moon, please help me grow tall and strong!" About This Book Discover Korean Chuseok traditions through a warm and delightful story! For the Korean people, who have relied on rice as their staple food since ancient times, farming was life itself. Our ancestors valued farming so highly that they said, 'Farming is the foundation of the world.' Because of this, the 24 solar terms marking the changing seasons throughout the year, as well as many other Korean customs and cultural traditions, are deeply connected to farming. Chuseok is one of Korea's most important holidays, falling on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. It is also known as 'Hangawi,' 'Gawi,' 'Gabae,' or 'Jungchujeol.' On this day, not only families but entire villages come together to share in the joy of the harvest and pray for a bountiful crop the following year. Dal-i's Family Celebrates Chuseok is a cultural picture book that shows the abundant joy of Chuseok and its customs through the heartwarming story of Dal-i's family, who gather at Grandmother's house for the holiday. On Chuseok, Dal-i's family, who had been living far apart, comes together at last. The whole family prepares food for the memorial table and makes songpyeon (rice cakes) together. On the morning of Chuseok, everyone holds the charye ceremony together and visits the family graves. The village bursts into a lively celebration. Dal-i and Haejun watch a ssireum wrestling match, join in a rousing game of tug-of-war, and hold hands together for a joyful round of ganggangsullae. By watching Dal-i's family celebrate Chuseok, children can truly understand the meaning behind customs and games they may have experienced without much thought, and come to appreciate Chuseok as a precious part of Korean culture. They will also learn about the wisdom and way of life of our ancestors, reflected in each and every custom and game. I love Chuseok, filled with delicious food and fun games! Around Chuseok, the mountains and fields are full of newly ripened yellow and red grains and fruits, making food abundant. Our ancestors used to say, 'May it be neither more nor less than just like Hangawi,' celebrating the rich and joyful holiday. Chuseok has many customs and games that carry the wish for a bountiful harvest. 'Olgesimni' is a custom of selecting the best-ripened grain from that year's harvest, tying it together, and hanging it on a pillar or wall. In the book, Haejun gets scolded by Grandmother for touching the olgesimni hanging on the wall. This is because the grain set aside as olgesimni was meant to be used for making rice cakes or as seed for the following year's crops. This grain was cherished so deeply that it was never eaten, no matter how difficult times were. The custom of olgesimni reflects our ancestors' wisdom in never neglecting to prepare for a prosperous future. By the afternoon of Chuseok, lively celebrations break out everywhere. In Dal-i's grandmother's village, the sound of the kkwaenggwari gong is already ringing out loudly. On the sandy wrestling ground, men grip the blue and red satba belts as they compete in an intense round of ssireum. Dal-i and Haejun join in a game of tug-of-war, standing on opposite sides and gripping the rope. In the old days, people believed that the winning side of the tug-of-war would bring a bountiful harvest, so they pulled with all their might—but Dal-i just pulled and pulled, determined not to lose to Haejun. When night fell, a big, round full moon rose brightly into the sky. The whole family made their own wishes to the moon. Grandmother and Mom wished for the family's health and happiness. Dal-i had been upset all day because Haejun kept teasing her, calling her 'shorty.' So she prayed earnestly in her heart, 'Dear Moon, please help me grow up big and tall.' Before they know it, young readers will feel just like Dal-i, wishing along with her while also making their own wishes in their hearts. When Dal-i breaks into a big smile upon seeing her shadow grow longer, children will feel just as happy, as if their own wishes had come true. Following the story's characters through laughter and tears, children will discover the warm and exciting customs and games of Korean tradition. Through the charming and lovely illustrations,