The House Before Falling into the Sea

Gr 1-4–Debut picture book author Wang and illustrator Cha pull from the histories of their families to tell of the harrowing time when Koreans fled from north to south as the Korean War was dividing the country in half. Wang’s family lived in a house at the edge of the sea in Busan, and they welcomed distant relatives and neighbors as they made the arduous journey to safety. Kyung, the young girl centered in this story, is fearful of the disruption and challenges of welcoming so many people into their house; but she gradually makes friends and finds ways to share her family’s resources. The war gets closer and closer to their safe haven, and when Kyung shares her fears with her mother she is consoled with these words: “It’s easier to face our fears if we stick together and hold each other up.” Watercolor and other media create beautiful land- and seascapes while capturing the emotions of those escaping war and those welcoming the refugees. Back matter includes additional historical context in both the author and illustrator’s notes along with a glossary and notes about Korean names.