The Moles and the Mireuk: A Korean Folktale [Hardcover]

Holly Hyeshik Kwon (Author), Woodleigh Hubbard (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

In a traditional Korean folktale, Papa Mole embarks on a fantastical journey through the universe in search of the perfect husband for his beautiful daughter, only to find the best match much closer to home.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a fresh retelling, the familiar theme of a parent seeking the best possible spouse for a child is whimsically brought to life. Papa and mama mole think their daughter--she of "the softest gray fur and a delicately pointed nose"--is sheer perfection, so to find "the most suitable husband," papa addresses in turn the sky, the sun, the clouds and so on. Not surprisingly, his answer is at last found close to home, at the foot of the towering gray stone temple called the Mireuk. Though the book's rather subdued cover belies the fun within, the artwork is the real star here. Hubbard, known for her wildly original books ( C Is for Curious ; Two Is for Dancing ) supplies imaginative, hip illustrations that dance across the pages in freely-drawn lines and squiggles. Trees sport rainbow foliage; a white-dotted purple bird proudly bears candy-cane plumage; a lavender-faced Wind puffs a house, a car, an airplane and a boat through deep blue curlicues. Even the graceful typeface with ample leading is just right. This version of the Oriental tale may lack the theatricality of this season's The Rats' Daughter (last fall's The Greatest of All provides yet a third variant on the story) but offers a particular quiet charm all its own. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- This winsome folktale, common to the Altaic languages, is presented here in its Korean variant. Although appearing in English before in Frances Carpenter's Tales of a Korean Grandmother (Tuttle, 1972), it is perhaps better known in its Japanese incarnation in which the animals involved are mice. The Mireuk of the title is a type of Korean stone statuary. Living near one is a mole couple who think their daughter has superior attributes and consequently seek the worthiest husband for her. Father mole first approaches the sky as the best choice. The sky, however, is cowed by the sun, who in turn defers to the king of the clouds, who thinks the wind is most powerful. And so it goes, until the proud father realizes that a mole son-in-law is best after all, and his daughter marries a suitable one. The retelling is simple and direct with enough details to maintain interest and not so many as to pall. While it lacks the flavor of Carpenter's retelling, it gains in more colloquial language. Hubbard's bright illustrations in a primitive style amplify the text, but do little to sustain its mood. Though some genuflection to authenticity of detail has been made, a European bridal veil and double-bass player at the wedding are distinctly un-Korean. --John Philbrook, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (March 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395643473
• ISBN-13: 978-0395643471
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,917,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Papa Mole tries to find a powerful husband for his daughter, April 20, 2004

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Moles and the Mireuk: A Korean Folktale (Hardcover)

A Mireuk is a standing statue of Buddha. I believe that the Mireuk that appears in this story is the one that stands at the Jungwon Mireuk Temple Site near the Sunabo Hot Springs. According to legend the temple was built by Mautiaeja, the last crown prince of United Silla. In addition to the stone statute of the standing Buddha, there is a five-story Stone Pagoda, Mireuk Stone Lamp, Mireuk Three-story Stone Pagoda, stone mortar, and a stone lantern. At the beginning of "The Moles and the Mireux: A Korean Folktale," we see this Mireuk, as tall as a three-story building, standing in a peaceful mountain valley.

This whimsical Korean folktale tells how Papa Mole decided his perfect daughter deserves the most powerful husband that he can find, so he undertakes a wild journey to find her the perfect mate. This journey finds Papa Mole climbing a ladder to the sky, riding a boat to speak to the Sun, and visiting the Clouds on the wings of a bird. But each of these powers insist that they are not powerful enough to be selected. Eventually, with the help of the wise old Mireuk, Papa Mole is able to find the right husband for his daughter much closer to home.

This story is retold by Holly Kwon, who has translated this traditional tale into English, with colorful illustrations by Woodleight Hubbard. As is the case with many folktales from around the world, "The Moles and the Mireuk" is a story that points out that big does not necessarily mean best and that being small does not mean that you are not powerful. This is a charming little story that will make an impression on young readers who will appreciate the moral of the story.