This is a picture book that introduces traditional Korean games and culture through three-dimensional mulberry paper (dak-jong-i) dolls created by Baek Heena, who was selected as Illustrator of the Year at the 2005 Bologna International Children's Book Fair. The collage artwork, cut and pasted by hand, works beautifully with the paper dolls to enrich the story and add visual delight. The book covers twelve themes of Korean play and culture: Lunar New Year, the First Full Moon of the Year, traditional weddings, plowing fields, jegichagi (Korean shuttlecock game), Dano (Dragon Boat Festival), guardian totem poles, grass, Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), autumn harvest, book-cleaning celebrations, and winter fur hats. Each month's rich cultural information is neatly organized on a single page, helping readers feel the hearts of our ancestors who loved nature and cherished their neighbors, along with a deep appreciation for our precious traditional culture. 01 A Picture Book That Lets You Feel the Culture and Spirit of Our Ancestors "Giddyap, giddyap! Turn, turn! Whoa, whoa, this way, this way! Turn slowly and come around. Giddyap, giddyap! Listen, ox. Let's quickly plow and move to the next row. There we go! Hurry along now." This is a chant that people once used to guide their oxen. Compared to today's songs, it may sound quite unfamiliar. Among children who rush between school and after-school academies, accustomed to amusement parks and video games, how many could explain what an ox-driving chant means, or what a "book-cleaning celebration" (chaekssi) is? The same goes for many adults. This is likely because opportunities and spaces to experience traditional Korean play and culture are gradually disappearing. In light of this unfortunate reality—where our traditional games and culture are quietly fading from memory—this book was created with the hope of introducing children to Korean seasonal customs and culture all year round. In the past, when there weren't nearly as many forms of entertainment as there are today, people set seasonal customs for each month, prepared special seasonal foods, and gathered together with neighbors to celebrate. They lived in harmony with nature. "Our Play, Our Culture Through the Four Seasons" presents twelve such themes of Korean tradition. As you turn each page, we hope you'll feel the warmth of our ancestors who loved nature and cared for their neighbors, and that this precious traditional culture will move from the eyes into the heart. 02 A Picture Book That Follows the Flow of the Four Seasons Follow the characters as they take you on a journey around an old Korean village. From the very first day of the new year, through gentle spring breezes and sweltering summer days without a breath of wind, past Chuseok when persimmons hang heavy on the trees, all the way to the cold winter days of falling snow—experience the full richness of traditional life through the games and culture of our ancestors. 03 A Picture Book with Outstanding Design Mulberry Paper Dolls Each paper doll was handmade by illustrator Baek Heena, who was named Illustrator of the Year at the 2005 Bologna International Children's Book Fair. These vivid, three-dimensional dolls look as if they might come alive right off the page, bringing Korean play and culture to life in a lively and engaging way. Collage Illustrations The torn-paper collage artwork pairs beautifully with the paper dolls, enriching the content and adding extra visual charm. Twelve Themes Lunar New Year, the First Full Moon of the Year, traditional weddings, plowing fields, jegichagi, Dano, guardian totem poles, grass, Chuseok, autumn harvest, book-cleaning celebrations, and winter fur hats. Rich Information Each month's abundant cultural information is neatly presented on a single page for easy reading.