Let’s Play Together, Not Alone!
On a beautiful sunny day, a tiger is swinging alone on a swing. Despite pumping his legs with all his might, playing by himself feels rather dull. Soon he tries flying a kite, but the string snaps and breaks. Just when the tiger feels dejected, a friend approaches-a rabbit! The rabbit suggests they play a game together, and the two start playing dakssaum, a game where two people hop around on one foot. When the tiger loses his balance and tumbles down with a thud, marbles roll out of his pocket. Naturally, the two friends begin playing guseul-chigi, or Korean marbles.
As they want to continue playing games, the tiger and rabbit move on to spinning tops to see whose top spins the longest. Then they go on to play ddakji-chigi (ddakji slapping) to see who can flip their opponent’s ddakji (folded paper tile) first before wrestling to see who can stay standing the longest. Later, while making a cave-shaped mud house for a toad, a sudden burst of rain sends them rushing to the rabbit’s house. What games will they play next?
K-Games from Squid Game! Discover Them Through This Picture Book
Shall We PLAY Together? captures twelve animal friends spending their day enjoying traditional Korean games from morning until night. This picture book provides information about Korea’s traditional games while also allowing readers to experience the diverse atmosphere of a Korean village landscape and the daily lives of villagers.
Shall We PLAY Together? is exactly the kind of a nonfiction picture book we all need right now. Thanks to the Netflix series Squid Game, people of all ages have become familiar with many traditional Korean games. This has sparked growing interest in learning the specific rules of these games and discovering other Korean games beyond those featured in the series. In short, people want more detailed information about these types of games. Furthermore, the fascination with K-pop and Korean culture extends to curiosity about other aspects of Korean heritage that both children and adults can enjoy together. Most importantly, traditional Korean games that have been passed down through the generations might offer people a rare opportunity to cultivate the spirit of cooperation and consideration for others-something that seems sorely lacking in today’s world.
There are many reasons to fall in love with this book, but perhaps its greatest appeal lies in how it combines a universality that transcends cultures and generations, with unique characteristics that are distinctly Korean. The book allows readers of all ages to physically experience diverse cultures together-and that’s what makes Shall We PLAY Together? so special.
A Book to Enjoy Anytime, Anywhere, with Anyone
Shall We PLAY Together? unfolds through traditional Korean games played from dawn to dusk, featuring author Gahee Kim’s characteristically soft colored-pencil illustrations that warmly capture the pure hearts of children. The story begins with a tiger swinging alone outside in the middle of the day. It expands as a rabbit joins the tiger for a series of two-player games, then moves indoors when sudden rain pours down, and gradually grows to include all twelve zodiac animal friends playing group games after the weather clears. As evening approaches and everyone returns home, the book concludes with quiet games perfect for families to enjoy together in the late evening.
Additionally, the book includes an appendix with detailed information that readers might find interesting: the characteristics of games from different eras, the unique meaning of “kkakdugi” (a special role in Korean traditional games), and similar traditional games found in various cultures around world. We hope you’ll explore Korea’s diverse culture through Shall We PLAY Together?, a book filled with traditional Korean games that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere, and with anyone.
