The Ocean Calls – A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho
A breathtaking picture book featuring a Korean girl and her haenyeo (free diving) grandmother about intergenerational bonds, finding courage in the face of fear, and connecting with our natural world. Dayeon wants to be a haenyeo just like Grandma. The haenyeo dive off the coast of Jeju Island to pluck treasures from the sea—generations of Korean women have done so for centuries. To Dayeon, the haenyeo are as strong and graceful as mermaids. To give her strength, Dayeon eats Grandma’s abalone porridge. She practices holding her breath while they do the dishes. And when Grandma suits up for her next dive, Dayeon grabs her suit, flippers, and goggles. A scary memory of the sea keeps Dayeon clinging to the shore, but with Grandma’s guidance, Dayeon comes to appreciate the ocean’s many gifts.
Main Focus: When we try something even when we are afraid, we can discover wonderful things about ourselves and the world.
Questions:
– What did Dayeon’s grandma do in the ocean?
– What is Dayeon afraid of?
– What helps her be less afraid?
– I wonder what it would be like to live in South Korea on the seashore like Dayeon?
– I wonder if Dayeon will become a haenyeo?
Activity: Color sea animals with crayon very heavily, then paint sea colors over them with water color paints.