Bee-Bip Bop

Park, Linda Sue. 2005.  Bee-bim Bop! ill Ho-Baek Lee. New York: Clarion Books.  ISBN 0618265112.

Summary
"Hungry, hungry, hungry for some Bee-bim Bop!" is a phrase repeated often in this tale.  It's a story about the process of making this traditional Korean dish.  A little girl goes to the store with her mom then helps her prepare the ingredients.  She watches as her mom fries the eggs, cooks the rice, and prepares the meats and vegetables.  Then, finally, she gets to mix it up and eat it.

Analysis
This delightful picture book is fun book for all ages.  It's colorful illustrations, step-by-step process, and rhyming verses is a great way to teach children about this traditional Korean dish.  Park's book is a fun read-aloud and would open doors to conversations about traditional foods in the children's own kitchens.  Kids can relate to wanting to help and watching their parents cook their favorite foods.

The illustrations by Ho Baek Lee offer the cultural markers in this picture book.  First, the hair styles and textures of the characters, in addition to the skin tones and eye shapes, represent the Korean culture very well.  None of these seem stereotypical.  For example, the eyes are round, not slits.

Next, when preparing foods, the mother uses chopsticks, a whisk, a spoon, and a rice paddle.  These are all things that can be found in most homes, but especially a Korean-American one.  When the daughter sets the table, she puts both spoons and chopsticks on the table.

Finally, the grandmother lives with this family.  This is not often seen in American households.  However, it is traditionally held in many cultures that the elders live with their children and their families.  The grandmother is wearing traditional Korean dress.
Review Excerpts
School Library Journal - A fine addition to any collection, this book is a terrific way to introduce Korean culture to young children.

Booklist - Lee's watercolors extend the flurry of activity, humor, and delight in uncluttered spreads, many from a child's-eye view.  Step-by-step descriptions will intrigue children who love learning about the process of putting a meal together.  A recipe for Bee-bim Bop, with instructions for "you" and a "grown up" closes this cheerful offering, which will partner nicely with the books in the adjacent read-alikes, "Kids in the Kitchen."

Connections
More stories about Korea and its culture:
So-Un, Kim. Korean Children's Favorite Stories.  ISBN 0804835918 .
Heo, Yumi. The Green Frogs: A Korean Folktale. ISBN 0618432280.
Cheung, Heychong. K is for Korea (World Alphabets). ISBN 184507789X.
Patz, Nancy. Babies Can't Eat Kimchee. ISBN 1599900173.
Tae-Jun, Lee.  Waiting for Mama (English and Korean Edition). ISBN 0735821437.
Recorvits, Helen. My Name is Yoon. ISBN 0374351147.