A Spoonful of the Sea
A Spoonful of the Sea by Hyewon Yum is a beautifully illustrated picture book published by W. W. Norton, Incorporated on September 9, 2025. This 32-page work presents a unique narrative centered around a girl’s birthday, where she receives a bowl of miyeokguk, or seaweed soup, instead of the cake she desires. Through the stirring of her soup, her mother shares stories about the significance of this dish, its connection to motherhood, and the cultural traditions surrounding it.
Readers will find a rich exploration of themes such as family life and cultural heritage, as the narrative delves into the history of haenyeo, women who dive for shellfish and seaweed. The story highlights the generational bonds between mothers and daughters, illustrating how traditions are passed down through time. This edition invites young readers to reflect on the importance of their own family traditions and the connections to nature that shape their identities.
Official synopsis Publisher
On her birthday, a girl is presented with a bowl of miyeokguk, seaweed soup–instead of the cake she wants. As she stirs her soup, her mother tells her how mothers eat it after giving birth and how it is served on birthdays to honor them; about haenyeo, women who dive into the ocean’s depths to harvest shellfish and seaweed; and how, many mothers ago, a pregnant haenyeo saw a whale eating seaweed after giving birth and tried it after having her own baby–creating a tradition that would continue for generations of daughters to come.
Award-winning picture book creator Hyewon Yum has crafted a luminous and heartfelt celebration of motherhood, heritage, and the deep-rooted connection between women and nature.
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