"Yay, it's Seollal!" The scene of the first day of the new year, always filled with excitement! Seollal is Geurin's favorite holiday. It's when she gets to eat all the delicious food she wants—chewy rice cake soup, golden-brown pancakes, and melt-in-your-mouth skewered meat. But most of all, Seollal is the day Geurin has been waiting for to give the New Year's bow to her elders. Geurin's family cleans every corner of the house and goes grocery shopping. Together with her aunt's and uncle's families, whom they haven't seen in a while, they prepare the ancestral rite food and play yut nori (a traditional board game). On Seollal morning, the children put on their hanbok early, join the adults for the ancestral rite, enjoy a delicious bowl of rice cake soup, and give their New Year's bows. After a joyful Seollal, Geurin's family heads to their grandparents' house, hearts full of hope for the new year. The first day of the new year, the first day of the first lunar month, is Korea's biggest holiday—Seollal. Since ancient times, people have cleaned their homes, dressed in new 'seolbim' clothes, and gathered with family to wish each other health and happiness. These days, families celebrate Seollal in many different ways—some take trips during the long holiday, and some observe the ancestral rites differently depending on their religion. The story of Geurin's family reflects this diversity: her cousin Eunbi's grandparents go on a trip for Seollal, while her uncle's Christian family prays instead of performing the traditional rite. Although every household has its own way of welcoming the new year, the hope, excitement, and wishes for each other's health and well-being remain the same. As you follow Geurin's lively holiday—full of good food, yut nori, and jegichagi (a traditional game)—take a moment to reflect on your own family's holiday traditions. "Let's send our golden wishes for good fortune, too" — the meaning of family and holidays woven into Seollal! While grocery shopping with Geurin, her dad buys apples and pears for relatives and specially picks a gold-colored cloth to wrap them in. When Geurin asks, "Dad, why gold? There's pink too!" her dad explains that gold brings good fortune in the new year. This small moment beautifully captures how we wrap even the simplest gifts with wishes for our loved ones' happiness. Geurin's family checking in on each other, celebrating each other's joys as if they were their own—even though they don't see each other often—shows how the sturdy fence of family gives us great strength. And when Geurin, who felt briefly left out by her cousin Eunbi during playtime, is soon smiling and dressing in her hanbok together with her cousin as if nothing happened, it reminds us that even when small hurts arise, family who cherish and love each other can quickly understand one another again. Seollal is a day for families to check in on one another, communicate, and welcome the new year with hearts full of good wishes. As you read Geurin's Seollal story—one that brings a warm smile just from reading it—take time to reflect on the meaning of family and holidays. And talk with your own family about what you hope for in the coming new year. A true story of growth for our children and our families! Korea's beloved family fantasy picture book series, the 'Kim Young-jin Picture Book' series! Kim Young-jin, the beloved "dad author" known for lifelike stories that feel just like they happened in our own homes, brings us another delightful family story—this time centered on Korea's greatest holiday, Seollal. The faces of family members gathered for the holiday bloom with stories and laughter. Surprised by how much the children have grown since they last met, cheering on kids who are passionate about their interests, and teasing each other affectionately—the warmth and affection-filled conversations vividly capture the joy of family reunions. The bustling kitchen, busy with holiday food preparations, feels so vivid you can almost smell it—golden pan-fried pollock, fragrant seasoned namul, and sweet-and-salty marinated skewers, all mouth-watering dishes lined up together.