Description "Don't be greedy today — just stay as long as your breath allows, then come back." The beloved picture book Mom Is a Haenyeo, which tells the story of three generations of Jeju haenyeo (women divers), is now available as a board book in both Korean and English editions! Mom Is a Haenyeo was written by director Ko Hee-young, who captured the lives of the haenyeo of Udo Island, Jeju, in her documentary The Sound of Breath (Muls-um), and illustrated by world-renowned artist Eva Armisen, known for finding extraordinary happiness in everyday life. This cherished story has now been released as a board book. Grandmother, mother, and child — the story of three generations of Jeju haenyeo living in harmony with the sea is brought to life through Eva Armisen's signature warm and tender illustrations. This board book is available in two versions: Korean and English. The English translation was carefully handled by former SBS reporter Ahn Hyun-mo, who also worked on the dubbing for The Sound of Breath. She paid close attention not only to translating onomatopoeia and mimetic words, but also to conveying Korea's unique cultural sentiments. At the end of the book, special art cards from the writer, translator, and illustrator are included as a gift to readers, making this an especially meaningful keepsake. As you turn each page, the story of three generations of haenyeo ripples through your fingertips like a poem, unfolding with a natural, believable narrative. Told from a child's point of view, the story allows readers to experience it freely, without being burdened by any forced lesson or message. The child in the story, who watches and waits for her haenyeo grandmother and haenyeo mother, resembles many of us — familiar with haenyeo, having seen them, yet not truly understanding their lives. Though the main character is a young child, readers of all ages find themselves relating to her, perhaps because this isn't just her story or your story — it's all of our story. The sea is terrifying, yet the mother goes out to it every single day. Holding her breath underwater is second nature to her, as she skillfully gathers fish, abalone, seaweed, and octopus. "We hold our breath the whole time, and when we come up to the surface, we let it all out in a rush. Hoo-i~ Hoo-i~ That's the sound it makes. We call it sumbisori — the sound of breath." Sumbisori is the sound that tells us Mom is alive. But once, tired of the endless sea, young Mom left it behind to work at a hair salon on land. Yet the noise of the city wore her down and made her ill. Missing the sea once more, she returned to Jeju to feel the waves again — and came back as a haenyeo. Then one day, something startling happened. Reaching for an abalone deep underwater, Mom nearly lost her breath. It was Grandmother's words that pulled her back up: "The sea never forgives human greed. If you get greedy underwater, the sea will take your breath. Muls-um — the drowning breath — leads us to death." Even though better equipment could help them gather more seafood, the haenyeo mothers still choose their simple flippers, goggles, weighted belts, abalone picks, floats (tewak), and nets. They plant abalone and turban shell seeds in their sea fields, but they never take the young ones. "We clear away the starfish that eat up the seafood. We tend our sea fields like beautiful flower gardens, each our own. The haenyeo's promise is this: stay in that garden only as long as your breath allows, and take only what the sea gives you." And so: "Don't be greedy today — just stay as long as your breath allows, then come back." The original artwork and text by Eva Armisen featured in this book will be on exhibit at the Cheonan Arts Center until August 25th. A section of the exhibition hall recreates the book itself, with large-scale illustrations and text offering a rich, immersive experience. If you have the chance, we invite you to visit and experience it in person.