A Brush with Magic

Gr 3-7–When their parents get stuck home in California with an urgent work project, 12-year-old Yumi and 16-year-old Minji are sent to Seoul for a summer break with their widowed grandfather. That Minji immediately chooses to spend time with their cousins without Yumi understandably leaves Yumi—who’s always tried to emulate perfect Minji—feeling abandoned. Even their kind grandfather with his painting and fairy tales can’t alleviate her loneliness. When Yumi buys an elaborate ink brush at a local art store, she’s shocked to discover it comes with its own dokkaebi—mythical goblin. Dodo, as Yumi names her, makes paintings come to life. She’s also a boisterous tour guide…until her enthusiasm spins out of control. Biracial Korean American actor Bell’s bilingual fluency is notably appreciated as Yumi and Dodo explore Seoul’s many must-do destinations.