Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day

by Erica Kim

Whether round and crunchy like a kimchi pancake or pinched and plump like a kimchi dumpling, there are so many ways to enjoy this Korean traditional dish.

Explore the different ways to eat kimchi in this fun, rhyming tale that also teaches the days of the week. Korean-American author-illustrator Erica Kim shares her pride in her delicious cultural food through her cut paper art technique. The Hanji paper that is used to illustrate the book comes from a paper mulberry tree native to Korea.

This beautiful reflection of culture will inspire children to take pride in their cultural foods, too.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Storytime, Asian American, Childrens, Asian Literature, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2022

About the author

Erica Kim is an author, illustrator, and teacher. She enjoys working with cut paper and incorporates it into her illustrations. Erica grew up in Connecticut, but also spent several formative years living in Seoul, Korea.

She holds a BS in Advertising from the University of Illinois and a masters in Early Childhood Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

She loves working with young students, cultivating a love of learning and experiencing the funny and heart-warming moments that arise each day.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This definitely one that is perfect for a younger audience (3-4). The rhyming schemes and focus on the days of the week, is something that I know my daughter will enjoy. Kimchi, Kimchi focuses on a young narrator who loves Kimichi so much that she eats it every day. The back matter includes a great glossary and all the ways that people can eat kimchi. I think this is one of those picture books that reinforces cultural pride especially when it comes to food. Sometimes children who haven’t been exposed to a wide variety of cultural experiences, especially those related to food, can be a little hard on other kids that bring different types of foods to lunch time. Books like these help kids learn about food that maybe they’ve never experienced and it builds a normalcy around things that are considered culturally different. I wasn’t a huge fan of the artwork. I’ve never gotten along well with cut paper art used as a means for picture book illustrations but I know that some people adore it. Overall, and interesting and fun read for a little ones and caregivers.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I am hungry for kimchi now 🤤

What a fun read and lovely ode to Korean culture! I love how this book showcases the many ways to enjoy kimchi 😋 The rhymes were great other than one or two that felt forced (e.g. I agree that fried rice is the best, but hardly think it leaves a mess). Even the glossary was delightful. Super cute and beautifully illustrated overall! 💕

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I eat kimchi every day. I like kimchi every way!" This picture book is an adorable and utterly charming ode to the delicious Korean dish kimchi. The young heroine gazes with adoration at a Sunday feast filled with kimchi, and flings her head back in Snoopy-like joy at Wednesday's dish of "kimchi stew, in a pot, bubble, bubble, steaming hot."

The rhymes are super catchy, and the illustrations just bursting with happiness. Think of a little kid being presented with their favourite treat -- that's this book on every page, and honestly, it's a joy to see the young heroine get so much of her favourite food for an entire week.

Full review: https://literarytreats.com/2022/11/30...

[Christine Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this picture book! It features different kimchi dishes for each day of the week. Lots of fun and exposes LO to different dishes.
Thank you Thomas Allen and Son for the #gifted review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Michael & Photini Holverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone that enjoyed kimchi growing up I was delighted to find this book. A combination of days of the week, meal times, culture, and exploring food. Unique. The story itself was lacking, more geared towards the 3-4ish yr old age range. The end of the book gives explanations of each type of kimchi which was probably the best part, in my opinion. If pared with tasting kimchi or studying Korean food culture this book will have a greater impact.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the unique illustrations of different Korean dishes that kimchi can be incorporated in~ They all look appetizing and delicious~ I love that at the end of the book, the author also included ways kimchi can be added to non-Korean foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, quesadillas, fries, and baked potatoes. From my experience, kimchi also goes so well with the classic spaghetti with meatballs and tomato sauce as well as curry (or at least for Japanese curry)! Ever since I tried it with my in-laws, it was a game changer and eye-opening experience!

I also found it interesting with the Kimchi Facts at the end of the book. I did not know the kimchi refrigerator was used to regulate a specific temperature to help with the fermentation process; I have always thought the fridge was mainly to separate the "regular" fridge from the kimchi so that the fridge doesn't smell like kimchi haha :D or at least that's what I was told... could be also a reason for having a separate fridge just for kimchi.
Or the fact that there is a specific time period where people gather to make a kimchi in bulk around November and early December; I have always thought that once you run out, you just make kimchi but make it as a family gathering experience.
Or the fact that there are kimchi festivals at the end of November; I personally never experienced it so it's nice to learn there are festivals dedicated to just kimchi~
And there are kimchi museums in Seoul, Korea?! Never heard of this even through social media, but good to know that there are exhibits that preserve culture like this!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator in this exuberant picture book clearly loves kimchi--so much so that she eats it every day just as the title indicates. While cultural outsiders may never have heard of this Korean delicacy, the narrator--a young girl--extols the delights of various versions of kimchi as well as different dishes that use it as an ingredient or side choice. Each double-page spread consists of rhyming lines celebrating kimchi as well as identifying the various days of the week on which the narrator dines on the food: That's Sunday through Saturday, if readers are counting. There's even a helpful Kimchi Glossary and descriptions of each of the dishes found on the book's pages. Not only might this book encourage youngsters to step out of their culinary comfort zones and try new foods, but it also inculcates a sense of cultural pride and encourages youngsters to appreciate the foods prepared at home. How delighted some students of Korean ancestry will be to find the very foods with which they are familiar right here on these pages! The striking illustrations consist of colored paper, hanji (handmade paper from a mulberry tree), and digital art for a unique look. I don't love the digital aspects of the artwork, but the other elements are visually appealing.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has very simple text and rhyme. It does include the days of the week - with a different food that includes kimchi presented on each day. The text about the kimchi rhymes - but not the days of the week. So it would be - Here's Monday! And then a rhyme about the dumplings or fried rice or sushi made for that day. There are lots of colors; lots of different types of font. It's bright and the stuffed bunny is cute.

There is more information at the end of the book about kimchi dishes along with samples of Korean writing. Also lots of info about kimchi itself. For example, kimchi day is November 22nd. The author uses several different fonts which helps to emphasize some of the sound words.

A good book to read for a food or days of the week story time. If you read this at home and don't have any kimchi, I would get some so everyone could try it.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A sweet picture book dedicated to the versatility of kimchi. Follow the character through each day of the week as she enjoys a different dish featuring kimchi.

Told in simple and catchy rhymes, this is a soothing and fun read. The art style is so cute. Kim used cut paper on hanji to create many of the images, which creates beautiful texture on the pages, along with digital art.

At the back of the book there is a Kimchi Glossary, which gives a little information about each dish, as well as some facts and suggestions on what else to try kimchi on.

Very cute, simple story. A delightful read aloud.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

One little girl shares her love of Kimchi and all of the delicious things you can do with it, and have it last all week long.

A delicious picture book that will have you craving this spicy/sour/crunchy/salty pickled cabbage!
The picture books and text by Erica Kim are great for introducing people to Korean culture, the days of week, and even some of the methodical ways to eat kimchi.

*Just as a note, I have worked in retail that sold kimchi and have tried it...I'll admit I wasn't a fan then, but after reading this book. I might give it another shot. After all, there are at least 7 ways to eat it, according to Kims' book.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The bouncy rhyming text celebrating a particular delicious food from Korea is reminiscent of Linda Sue Park's "Bee-bim Bop!", with clear, simple pictures on textured background. This part would work very well in storytime, even for toddlers. But in addition to that, the background matter is absolutely excellent, extending and deepening this celebration of kimchi for older readers: What are the kimchi dishes in the story? A section explains what they are. Want to try it at home? A section gives ideas such as kimchi tacos or kimchi on hamburgers. Want more kimchi facts, history and vocabulary? There's a section for that, too.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. As someone that is not an adventurous eater by any means, this book opened my eyes to the variety of things that can be made with kimchi. Most kids (in Arkansas) have probably never even heard of kimchi, much less tried to eat it. The author includes the days of the week in her story, rhyming text, and nice hand-made paper illustrations. At the end of the story, the author gives examples of the different dishes in her book and tells a little bit about each one and how they can be cooked with different ingredients.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimchi is a Korean dish made of pickled vegetables, and the main character of this book loves it. She loves it so much she eats it every single day, but never in the same way. We go on a food journey in which kimchi is used in stews, dumplings, pancakes, and other meals. The text is rhyming and brief, more for the younger picture book crowd. The illustrations of the cute child and various foods are amazing.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple, cute, rhyming book about a little girl who really loves Kimchi. Each day of the week she eats a different kind of Kimchi dish, and then there are more details (including a glossary) in the back if you wanted to teach your kids about kimchi. It makes sense this was created by an early childhood educator. Even the illustrations, incorporating cut paper, feels like a very polished kids craft.

[Sam C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is used for ages 5-9 years old. The story's theme is to show the Asian food culture. This will introduce a different type of food to students who were not familiar with this food before. This will also help an Asian child feel seen and comfortable to talk about their cultural food. I plan to have my future students maybe create paper food that looks like Kimchi. With permission I would also like to bring this food to the class to allow the students to get a taste of the food.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: 2-4 years
Food: Kimchi
Identity: Korean

Starting on Sunday, an excitable girl shares her love of kimchi on all sorts of delicious foods throughout the week. Each spread features a new day and a new food. Rhyming text, 1-2 sentences, and solid color backgrounds make this perfect for reading aloud. An excellent addition to storytime shelves!

[Angie Counsell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple, rhyming book that talks about different ways to eat kimchi while introducing the days of the week and some shapes and sounds. It does have a glossary at the back that talks about Kimchi and what it is, different ways to prepare it, and different facts about it. This is an easy way to introduce different, ethnic foods to children.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the cut paper art, which reminds me of books by Shari Halpern I'm not sure I'd want to eat kimchi on a taco or a baked potato, as the kimchi notes at the end suggest, but it's good stuff and this is a good read.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl shares a rhyming celebration of the yummy kimchi dishes she gets to eat each day of the week.

The rhyme in this is very well done and the layout of each page helps convey the girl's excitement over the different dishes. The back of the book provides more of a description for each dish and a little more kimchi info.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome, early-literacy-rich celebration of kimchi and all the ways to eat it throughout the week! I enjoyed the cut paper illustrations as well.

Themes: Food, Days of the week, Korean culture
Age range: Toddler-Preschool

[Ryan Laferney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable and every educational. This picture book explores the different ways to eat kimchi. It's a rhyming tale that also teaches the days of the week. Written by Korean-American author-illustrator Erica Kim, this picture book is excellent for storytimes (and will make you hungry).

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful rhyming picture book that features all of the various ways kimchi can be prepared and eaten, with some fun and interesting facts about kimchi and additional preparation suggestions at the end. The authors papercut illustrations are stellar. Realllllly makes me want to eat some kimchi!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, short, rhyming picture book introducing kids to kimchi. (Not a fan of the computer generated illustrations though.) Includes kimchi facts & glossary.

Themes: kimchi, stories that rhyme, culture, food
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2022

[Amy Smith]

This book has simple sentences that can expand children's vocabulary. I would read this book in Toddler Storytime or for a Book-n-Cook. There is a glossary of terms at the back, ways to try kimchi, and facts about kimchi. There are plenty of opportunities to practice rhyming as well.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this little gem!!! Clever and cute and written by an elementary school teacher!!

[Rebecca Caufman]

Days of the week are highlighted in this simple happy book about a favorite food.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that celebrates the many ways kimchi can be eaten every day.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute rhyming story with cool art.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yum! This book definitely makes me want to eat kimchi!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, rhyming sentences celebrate a different kimchi dish each day of the week. Appealing and adorable cut paper illustrations.