Customer Reviews

Peach Heaven

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I bought this book for my adopted Korean nephew, hoping it would be a good bridge between his country of birth and his new home. While the premise of the story starts with a great childhood fantasy that I think many kids can relate to, the story is told in a kind of mature voice that seems rather un-childlike. I felt that the ending was a litle abrupt or disconnected from the events leading to it; it could have benefitted from a better transition or a few follow up words. As it is, the book is not a good choice for toddlers and kids who mostly enjoy being read TO; it's better for older and more verbal kids who can connect the dots on their own or who can talk about the ending with some adult prompting. I'd recommend it for kids between 5-7, as opposed to the toddler I bought it for.

Peach Heaven is a beautiful book based on the rainstorm of Puchon, Korea. This was the day it rained peaches! A powerful monsoon picked the peaches from mountain orchards and quite virtually deposited the fruit in Yangsook's lap. The Yangsook's recollective voice lends a very tender quality to the story. In the author's note we find that peaches are regarded as a very special fruit. The sense of community in the end when everyone helps the farmers with the harvest is a very touching and cherished moment.