No Kimchi for Me!

Yoomi, Friends, and Family

by Aram Kim

Yoomi hates stinky, spicy kimchi - the pickled cabbage condiment served at Korean meals. So her brothers call her a baby and refuse to play with her. Yoomi is determined to eat kimchi. She tries to disguise it by eating it on a cookie, on pizza, and in ice cream. But that doesn't work.

Then Grandma shows Yoomi how to make kimchi pancakes. This story about family, food, and a six-year-old "coming of age" has universal themes, and at the same time celebrates Korean culture. A kimchi pancake recipe and other back matter are included.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Childrens, Asia, Cats, Fiction, Animals

Audible Audio

First published September 5, 2017

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely three stars for me. I really wanted to like this more -- I thought the cats might be cute, and my sister-in-law was born in Korea and loves kimchi. I did like the bravery of the little girl (er, cat) and how she kept trying to like kimchi. And I appreciated the ingenuity of her grandmother in trying a different way to serve it, one that the girl would find more palatable. (I've never heard of kimchi pancakes before, and there's a recipe at the back.) However, I didn't like how the brothers were so rude, calling her a "baby" for not liking kimchi and teasing her. If you decide to check it out, be sure to look at the artwork inside the front and back covers. My mouth is watering from all the dishes shown, though I do wish there was more explanation about each of them.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love kimchi, cats, and grandmas, so count me WAY IN. 5 stars for the endpapers alone.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoomi is determined to eat kimchi after her brothers call her a Baby for not eating it, but it's Just Too Spicy! Will she ever conquer it? Will her brothers stop teasing her? Will Grandma find a way to solve this problem?

(spoilers: yes)

[Amy Schredl]

Author Aram Kim utilizes the character, Yoomi, to discuss kimchi and specifically kimchi pancakes. Yoomi’s brothers and grandmother like kimchi. When Yoomi does not like it, her brothers leave her out of activities because they say she is a baby for not liking kimchi. With the help of her grandmother, Yoomi discovers the best way she loves eating kimchi. The end of the book describes kimchi and provides a recipe to make kimchi pancakes which the author’s mother provided. This story is a #OwnVoices picture book because of the window it provides into an Asian cultural food item. It also addresses the Asian-American culture from the perspective of the author, who is of Asian-American descent. While there is no description of the author in the book, the website (aramkim.com) does provide her background and how she grew up in South Korea for some time in her life.

I appreciated reading this book because I too have tried kimchi. On my first attempt at eating it, I was like the character in the book and did not like it. However, after more tries I have grown to appreciate kimchi. I would say that this book provides me the opportunity to learn with and alongside my students into more Asian cultural aspects. At the very end of the book there are a variety of pictures of fermented food items, which I have tried eight of those items. I can see how this book would be wonderful for students of Asian-American descent and providing them with either a window or mirror of some of their experiences.

[Monica Lucio · Rating 5 out of 5]

“...stinky, spicy, kimchi” is cried out by Yoomi and is also a sentiment I have heard from students ranging from four to fourteen. Within pages 5-8 holds a scene I have seen in person multiple times since moving to Korea: the youngest declaring a dislike for kimchi immediately met by elders out casting them. Had I not had the experience of teaching in Korea I would have thought this was a minor experience held by a few because in my culture, not liking a food would not foster a similar response. In Latine culture if you do not like a dish, you are more likely to be met with anger or scandal, not so much teasing. But I have heard the same conversation between Yoomi, Yoon, and Jun play out in my classroom either between my students or with my students and my Korean co-teachers.

This reminded me of the Mirrors, Windows, Sliding Glass Door video shown on Canvas. No Kimchi For Me! helped me “look to see other worlds” as I have “enter[ed this] new world”. Because of the language gap, I do not often get to speak with Koreans my age. And because of seniority respect, these are not the kinds of questions I could freely ask my bilingual Korean co-workers. So, reading a book written by an adult that emulates experiences I have seen play out since moving here 2 years ago, affirms that this is a regular ‘rite of passage’ if you will.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do we do when we have a food that we (gasp!) hate? Especially when that food is a family favorite, a food that has strong ties to our family's culture/heritage? Sometimes choking it down for the sake of family peace is not the answer. Thank goodness, for the grandma in this story and her creative approach to food dislikes. Lovely illustrations.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The youngest kitty in this picture book gets picked on by her older siblings because she can't stand the taste of kimchi. They tell her she can't be a "grown-up" unless she eats it and refused to play "grown-up" games with her. What can little kitty do to change her palate?

Good for Pre-K kids, especially ones that are picky about their food.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute book about learning to accept things you don't like or at least finding the most palatable version for yourself. A fun look at Korean cuisine.

[Cloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute! It's a great quick story, Baby agrees that this is adorable. One star was knocked off because I would have been good with a bit more text to fluff out the rest of the story.

At one point the two brothers are teasing the younger sister calling her "Baby! Baby!" and my own darling child pipes up, "THAT'S A CAT!" in the most indignant voice.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoomi loves her grandmother's Korean cooking except for stinky, spicy kimchi until grandma makes into a pancake for her. A charming family story with lovely, bold, colorful illustrations.

[Erynne Bundt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely adorable! It is about a girl cat that is thought to be "a baby" because she does not like the taste of kimchi. Her family teases her about not liking kimchi. The end is super cute! I would read this aloud to my students and then place it in my class library.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CUTE. The author was born in Cincinnati and raised in South Korea. Includes recipe for Kimchi pancakes.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most readers will be able to relate to Yoomi's plight. Many of us have certain family dishes that are our favorites, but there are others that just don't taste too appealing. In Yoomi's case, that's how it is with kimchi. Try as she might, she just cannot enjoy the spicy food. When her brothers tease her about being too much of a baby to love the traditional Korean dish, she is determined to find a way to tolerate it. Unfortunately, not even pizza or a chocolate chip cookie can disguise the taste enough for her to enjoy it. But then her grandmother comes to the rescue with a clever idea. This culturally-rich story reminds readers of their own childhood experiences as well as celebrating the love of family and the importance of culture in a humorous way. Created with pencil, color pencils, and pastels and then assembled digitally, the illustrations work well with the story. I also appreciated the end papers featuring Korean vegetables in the front and Korean dishes in the back section. I had no idea that there was so much that could be done with kimchi. Most of all, though, it was wonderful to find a book that showed how not all members of a culture like the same things, a gentle reminder to us all that while there are many things we have in common, there are also many things that make us different and unique.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I both adored and hated this book, thus I had to give it five stars.

So little Yoomi hates Kimchi, but after her brothers keep calling her a baby, she is determined to like it. She tries it on a lot of different things (to no avail) when her grandmother finally makes her Kimchi pancakes (which she loves). Yoomi gets to play with her brothers again since she proved she wasn't a baby, and all is well.

What I loved: If you hate something, trying it in a lot of different ways CAN be very beneficial to your taste buds and diet. You can learn to love something in a different form than you're used to. I was really proud of Yoomi for attempting different options on her own and not losing hope. She really wanted something to work, and it paid off!

That being said: Why can kids just never hate certain foods, and it just be okay (especially in literature)? Adults are allowed to have food preferences but kids aren't? What kinda hellish landscape are we in that kids can't have autonomy over foods they hate? Kid doesn't like beans but loves mushrooms? Fine, feed the kid mushrooms. It's an annoying trend :| IT IS OKAY TO NOT LIKE STUFF, MOM. IT IS NOT OKAY TO LET SIBLINGS BULLY EACH OTHER OVER IT, MOM. Goodness :|

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kimchi pancakes are delicious! After reading this book, I really wanted some hot kimchi pancakes with that crispy texture on the outside, yet slightly chewy inside. The illustrations feature bright colors and clean lines. I noticed the bullying older brothers have eyes that feature a different style from Yoomi's and her Grandmother's eyes, which make the brothers look less cute and kind of dead on the inside... Bullying is not nice! The story is straight-forward, which makes it good for reading aloud to young children. As an added bonus at the end of the book, readers can find a recipe for kimchi pancakes provided by the author's mother.

As a kid, I thought kimchi smelled delicious, but was too afraid to eat spicy things. Maybe if this book had been around when I was a kid, I would have known the awesomeness of kimchi sooner. I definitely think this book would be a great addition to public and school libraries. Especially those that serve a Korean population because it's a great feeling as a kid to see food from your culture represented in books.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I predict a Korean feast in our future. It will include kimchi pancakes!
I like Aran Kim’s charming illustrations showing the characters as cats. I’m impressed at how human they all manage too look.

[Erin]

This turned out to be a nice storytime read, about that one food (in this case kimchi) that's just too disgusting. Yoomi is totally grossed out by kimchi, but is determined to try it. Assisted by her grandmother, they make kimchi pancakes (bonus: recipe in the back!).

Her brothers make fun of Yoomi and are generally unhelpful, but I really liked Yoomi's intrepid approach to trying new food.

[Angela]

Yes, please. I would like to try your kimchi pancake.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute exploration of exploring new foods, especially foods that are special to your family's culture.

[Mika UltraModernBM · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOKBUTTERFLY Book Review of NO KIMCHI FOR ME! By Aram Kim
Little Yoomi and her older brothers adore their grandmother's traditional Korean cooking, but Yoomi hates the spicy taste and "stinky" smell of kimchi. To Yoomi's brothers, eating kimchi is a rite of passage, and because Yoomi detests kimchi so much, they called her a baby and barred her from playing games with them. This treatment made Yoomi upset, but mostly, it made Yoomi determined to eat kimchi. First, Yoomi tries kimchi with her favorite foods, but she still finds the taste unsavory. Then, noticing her granddaughter's grit, Yoomi's grandmother intervenes. Together, they create one deliciously smelling, amazingly tasting giant kimchi pancake.
Yoomi's brothers and grandmother all love the kimchi pancake.
Will Yoomi finally be able to eat the kimchi pancake with her family?
Aram Kim welcomes us into her grandmother's kitchen, with illustrations so precise your tummy aches with longing for classical style Korean food. Kids will enjoy the impressive bright images and relatable family themes, such as the picky eater, the grandparent caregiver, and sibling teasing. Teachers and parents will appreciate how "NO KIMCHI FOR ME!" is an age-appropriate introduction for students (preschool - 2nd grade) to learn about Korean culture through family and food. Additionally, families and classes can work together like Yoomi and her grandmother to create kimchi pancakes using the recipe in the book. Indeed, "NO KIMCHI FOR ME!" is an amusingly rich book that promotes cultural diversity, and I am happy to read the remainder of the series.
Lesson Plans are available at www.aramkim.com.
Bookbutterfly Book Review: 5/5

[Catherine L. Haws · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommend? - Yes!
Would I add it to my collection? - Maybe so
Would I read it again? - Yes!
Story analysis:
Our main character is Yoomi, the youngest of three kittens, who does not like eating kimchi, but she wants to prove her teasing brothers wrong. In the end, Grandma comes to the rescue. The length of the plot is apt, and there is a distinct arc.
Character design:
The four cats are distinct and unique. Yoomi is relatable for those of us who don't like certain foods. Yoomi is a strong-willed character who makes bold choices and loves her family.
Illustration analysis:
The illustrations are simple, and have a cinematic readability. Use of dynamic angles, closeups, and inserts give lovely variety. Some pages have a white background while others include details of the room (such as readable words in open books, rain in windows, and an elephant shaped tea kettle. The characters could easily be put on coloring pages. There are a few "Easter eggs" such as the elephant tea kettle and Yoon's pencil behind his ear. The colors are bright but not overwhelming.
Writing analysis:
Readability is smoothe. The layout of the words on the pages flows nicely and leads the eye along with the illustrations. There is a nice balance of narration, dialogue, and some spreads with no words at all! The pacing compliments the illustrations to a T. The font is easy to read aloud.
Closing thoughts:
I appreciate the kimchi pancake recipe in the back and the food illustrations on the inside covers! This is such a cute little book, and I really do enjoy how cinematic it is.

[Manar Salama · Rating 3 out of 5]

No Kimchi for Me written by Aram Kim is a story about a Korean family personified as cats that celebrate their Korean heritage through a famous dish called kimchi. Yoomi, the main character, finds it difficult to enjoy the dish so she and her grandma team up and disguise the kimchi into different types of food until Yoomi can enjoy it. It isn't until Yoomi and her grandma blend the kimchi into some pizza that Yoomi enjoys the food. This is a great story to have in a classroom for many reasons. For starters, the story focuses on Korean culture which is a great representation not only for anyone who is Korean but any minority because we don't see a lot of cultures being represented in the classroom and every student should feel seen and heard. This book not only has a great message through the words but the illustrations shown are very detailed and can be very informative to those who are not well rounded on Korean culture. I especially enjoyed the last page of the book which went into great detail about what Kimchi was and why it is special. Second of all, it is a great story that demonstrates how families can come together and be united as one. It is a great story about togetherness and family. I would want my students to have a great example of what it is like to be caring, patient, and determined; this book combines all these themes and I would definitely utilize this book in the classroom. I chose this book because the title and cover page caught my attention, I would use this book in a preschool to second-grade classroom as the Lexile score for this book is AS310L.

[storymamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aram Kim has written and illustrated this wonderful book full of depth called No Kimchi For Me!

The book takes you on a journey of youngest sibling, Yoomi and her quest to like Kimchi. She tries it several times and can’t seem to like it. Unfortunately her older brothers think she’s a baby for not liking it. Little do her brothers know, Yoomi is a character with drive & determination and stops at nothing to try and like the spicy food. When Yoomi’s latest plan doesn’t work, in steps her grandma, with a new plan. Will Yoomi finally like Kimchi or will her brothers call her a baby forever?!

There are so many reasons to love this book! I adore Aram’s illustrations, she has made such a likeable cat family and has such wonderful details in the drawings that are fun to spot (have you read what the book on the kitchen table is about?!).

What stole my heart is that this is a story that has brought on so many conversations with my 3 year old son. We’ve discussed Korean culture and foods, why its always good to try new foods (and try them often) and how it makes people feel when they are not included.

All these themes make this book great for all ages. Also she’s drawn different Korean foods on the end papers and so there is already conversation happening before the story begins!

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story of a cat named Yoomi who doesn't like kimchi and was made fun of by her brothers. One day, their grandma made kimchi pancakes and she ended up loving it!
This story reminds me of myself, but with eggplants. Growing up, I thought I hated eggplants because my mom would always make mushy ones; but after trying my mother-in-law's who just semi cooked it in a stir fry with a spicy and savory sauce, I ended up liking eggplants a lot. It's still not one of my favorite veggies to eat, but at least I didn't despise it as much as I did when I was younger.

I can understand that some food textures may be hard to eat even if it is your culture's foods (like for me as a Chinese American, I would NEVER ever eat blood and other organs besides beef tripe). But sometimes like the kimchi in the book and eggplants in my own experience, the way it is prepared may be enjoyable in a different way. I think this book is perfect for parents with children who claim they are picky eaters, but maybe they can be exposed to a different perspective where maybe they like it mixed with something instead of eating it on its own.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the same author who wrote Cat on the Bus, the sweet nearly wordless picture book about a homeless cat riding the city bus that is taken in by a sweet grandfather, comes another heartwarming book that illustrates the way grandparents use their love and wisdom to help their younger grandchildren learn and grow. Yoomi's grandmother has come for a visit and treats the family to all sorts of yummy, traditional Korean dishes. Yoomi loves most of these foods, but when she tries to eat the kimchi it's too spicy and she spits it out. The author explains that "kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made of fermented vegetables and seasonings. The most popular kimchi is made of Napa cabbage and seasoned with salt, red chili pepper, garlic, ginger, and other spices." Yoomi's older brothers tease her and call her a baby because she can't eat this spicy "grown-up" food. Young readers will enjoy finding out how Yoomi's grandmother helps her find a way to love this food along with everyone else in the family.

[carrietracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars really. Little Yoomi finds kimchi too spicy and her older brothers use this to tease her and call her a baby. Determined to prove she is a big girl, Yoomi keeps trying and with her grandmother's help, she manages to find a way to love kimchi as much as the rest of the family.

I've always had a soft spot for books about food and sharing food with family. This is no exception. I particularly LOVE how it shows that "not liking" a food right now is something that can be overcome and that something a kid might even WANT to overcome. It provides a great example to kids and their families alike to try something in different forms in order to find the one that is just right for their tastebuds.

Aram Kim's adorable cats are nearly as cute here as on Cat on a Bus and the endpapers are wonderful as well.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Yoomi doesn't like kimchi but she wants to be able to eat it to prove she is a big girl to her brothers. She tries a variety of methods, but Grandma may have the best idea.

I can totally see this happening in a Korean family. I lived in Korea for a while and slowly learned to love the many varieties of kimchi (sadly it no longer loves me). Kids will likely either laugh or get grossed out by the ideas Yoomi has for how to get the kimchi swallowable. Reader's can try out Grandma's solution with the recipe in the back of the book. Get kids interested in some exotic (or perhaps not so exotic depending on where you live) food dishes and introduce them to a little Korean flavor with this book. And of course, Korean families can snatch it up to find a relatable Korean family in a picture book.

[Christine Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yoomi and her two siblings are at Grandma's house for lunch. Yoomi loves the seaweed, anchovies, egg omelet, and bean sprouts Grandma gives her to eat. But she refuses to eat her kimchi. She says it is stinky and spicy. Her siblings eat theirs and then taunt her by calling her a baby because she would eat hers.

After lunch, her siblings won't let her play with them because the game they are playing is "not for babies." Yoomi doesn't want to be treated like a baby, but she really, really doesn't link kimchi. What can she do?

The end papers of the book are filled with pictures of Korean foods. There is a page in the back of the book that explains what kimchi. There is also a recipe for Kimchi Pancakes readers might like to try.

[Kyra Nay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kim captures a common childhood dilemma - finding the taste of a culturally important food to be too spicy, too sour, too pungent, etc. (for me, the dreaded food was sauerkraut). Yoomi can't make herself eat spicy kimchi, though she tries. She endures her brothers' teasing until Grandma comes up with a clever plan.

This would be a good early school age storytime book. Don't miss the endpapers - the front endpapers feature the ingredients in kimchi, while the final endpapers show the wide variety of kimchi dishes.

One minor quibble- I know this author/illustrator's previous work also features anthropomorphized cats, but I found myself wishing this book had humans instead.