The title refers to a dish of rice, egg strips, vegetables and meat that's a staple of Korean family life-and it's a lot of fun to eat, too, because diners get to mix the parts together themselves right at the table. (The words in Korean mean, loosely, "mix-mix rice.") The title also inspires some bouncy rhymes from Park (A Single Shard), and loving depictions of the joys of being mom's sous-chef from South Korean artist Lee. First, the necessary supplies are laid in: "Hurry, Mama, hurry/ Gotta shop shop shop!/ Hungry hungry hungry/ for some bee-bim bop!" A flurry of rice-making, chopping and frying follows. The entire family, including a grandmother in traditional dress, gathers to say grace and dig in: "Rice goes in the middle/ Egg goes right on top / Mix it!/ Mix like crazy!/ Time for bee-bim bop!" Lee's characterizations don't have much texture or depth, but he does a terrific job of framing the kitchen activity from a variety of angles, so that every scene bubbles with fun and anticipation (he also frequently crops Mama at the shoulders, to keep the focus on the eager, helpful narrator). The mood is so unabashedly happy and Park's text is so catchy that any grown-up reading this book aloud should anticipate a demand to make the detailed, kid-friendly recipe for Bee-Bim Bop on the final spread. Ages 4-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
A young Korean girl is "Hungry hungry hungry for some Bee-Bim Bop." That is the refrain to this catchy, upbeat poem about a girl and her mother preparing dinner for their family. Not just any dinner, but Bee-Bim Bop, an appealing Korean dish that translates to "'mix-mix rice.'" The rhythm of this poem is irresistible and the little protagonist adorable. The illustrations convey the sense of urgency the protagonist feels as she anticipates her favorite meal. She and her mother race through the grocery store, boil rice, flip the eggs, chop vegetables, and cook meat before they set the table with "spoons and chopsticks too." Then all come running as the little girl shouts, "Hurry, family, hurry, Gotta hop hop hop! Dinner's on the table and it's Bee-Bim Bop!" There is a moment of silence as, "Papa says the grace...," before all at the table "MIX IT! MIX LIKE CRAZY! Time for BEE-BIM BOP!" Readers will wish that dinnertime at their houses could be as much fun as the one depicted in this book. The text and illustrations will broaden horizons as they help children learn a bit about Korean food in an entertaining way. A recipe for Bee-Bim-Bop is included at the back of the book with detailed, kid-friendly instructions and pictures of ingredients. An author's note and photograph with her niece and nephew are also found at the back of the book. The book jacket mentions that the author has won cooking contests and has worked as a food journalist. Her novel, A Single Shard, received the Newbery Medal. So, hurry readers hurry, gotta shop shop shop, gotta learn to make some Bee-Bim Bop! 2005, Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 3 to 8.
—Jeanne K. Pettenati, J.D.
PreS-Gr 2-In the tradition of Grace Lin's Dim Sum for Everyone! (Knopf, 2001) and The Ugly Vegetables (Charlesbridge, 1999), Park introduces preschoolers to the culinary culture of Korea. Playful, cartoonlike drawings portray a round-faced girl helping her mother shop and prepare a delicious meal in the kitchen. The illustrations, set against a white background, are very appealing. Each spread presents a detailed and busy kitchen scene enhancing the rhyming text. The name of the dish is delightful, and children will want to chime in on "Hungry hungry hungry/for some BEE-BIM BOP!" and variations on the catchy refrain. The verses contain many of the preparation steps and ingredients and some readers may have difficulty keeping the rhythm, but with a bit of practice, the rhyme works well. A recipe follows the story and in the author's note, Park explains that "bee-bim bop" means "mix-mix rice." A fine addition to any collection, this book is a terrific way to introduce Korean culture to young children.-Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Even so fine a writer as Park cannot resist the whole bouncy-rhyming thing. This one, however, does have vivacity and charm, as a small girl helps her mother purchase, prepare and serve her favorite meal. Bee-bim bop is a Korean dish, and every family has their own version. Illustrations come from a child's eye point of view: Eggs are fried, rice is steamed, vegetables and meat are thinly sliced and all proceeds apace even when the child manages to spill and clean up-with the help of the dog-a bit of cooking liquid. Park includes a complete recipe and an author's note about "mix-mix rice," which is a loose translation. Lee's clear watercolors depict food and kitchenware, Grandma wearing Korean dress and the dog hovering, often mimicking the child's activities. Expect hordes of young ones prancing about asking for "Hungry-in a hurry / for some BEE-BIM BOP! (Picture book. 4-8)
"Bouncy rhymes . . . and loving depictions of the joys of being mom's sous-chef . . . unabashedly happy and . . . catchy." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Publishers Weekly
"Bouncy-rhyming . . . vivacity and charm . . . from a child's-eye point of view" KIRKUS REVIEWS Kirkus Reviews
"Park captures the exciting rush of dinnertime preparations...Lee's watercolors extend the flurry of activity, humor, and delight." BOOKLIST Booklist, ALA
"Expressive, child's-eye watercolors get in on all the activity...in this celebration of a well-loved cultural dish." HORN BOOK GUIDE Horn Book Guide
