The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (Director: Haedon Lee) presented a <Korean Picture Book Storytime: Exhibition of Korean Picture Books & Author Talk with Jung-soon Go> on September 6 at KCCLA’s Ari Hall and on September 7 at West Hollywood Park, as part of the Los Angeles Kids Book Festival. The program featured an exhibition of the award-winning picture book Okchundang Candy and illustrations, along with a special book talk and tea time with the author.

The event introduced outstanding Korean picture books—renowned for their universal appeal across languages and cultures—to children and families from diverse backgrounds in the U.S. In the Los Angeles Kids Book Festival, which annually attracts over 3,000 visitors, the program also promoted cultural exchange in children’s literature between Korea and the United States.

This year’s featured work, Okchundang Candy (written and illustrated by Jung-soon Go), received the Special Award at the 2023 Korea Picture Book Awards, as well as honors including The White Ravens 2023 and the Charlotte Publishing Culture Award. The book delicately portrays Korean tradition and sentiment through the motif of okchundang, a traditional Korean candy.

Visitors not only had the chance to meet and converse with the author but also enjoyed cultural experiences such as tasting traditional Korean tea and sweets featured in the picture book.

Jung-soon Go, a picture book author and illustrator, is widely loved for her warm storytelling rooted in Korean tradition and sensibility. Beyond picture books, she actively writes essays, novels, and comics, expanding her creative range.

Alongside the Okchundang Candy exhibition, a curated selection of internationally acclaimed Korean picture books was also displayed, including Heena Baek’s Cloud Bread and Moon Pops, as well as Suzy Lee’s Wave and Shadow. This provided audiences with a rare opportunity to experience some of Korea’s most beloved picture books in one place.