By Honorary Reporter Monthi Rosselini from Indonesia

Photo = Kim Aram

Kim Aram is an author and illustrator of children's picture books. What I like about this New York-based Korean American's work is the Korean flair she adds to her books like in "Cat on the Bus," "No Kimchi for Me!" and "Let's Go to Taekwondo!" The three books are favorites of my children. Not only did they adore Yoomi the cat in her books, but also learn about Korean culture.

The following are excerpts from a June 13 email interview with Kim.

Please describe your background.
I grew up in Korea and live in New York. I've always loved drawing since I was a little child and wanted to be an artist. I've also loved books, reading and writing, so becoming a children's book author and illustrator seems quite natural in retrospect. 

I didn't know or think that being an author or illustrator was a viable career path. In college, I studied in the U.S. for a year, majoring in English literature, but squeezed in a few studio art classes that became my absolute favorites. When I returned to Korea, I decided to pursue my dream as an artist and transferred to an art school in New York. That's how everything started.

Where do you find your inspiration for stories?
I find inspiration everywhere. For "Let's Go to Taekwondo!" I was trying to come up with a sequel to "No Kimchi for Me!" Just like kimchi, I wanted to use something Korean also widely known in the U.S. so that non-Korean readers can also identify with it. One day, I saw a bunch of kids running around in taekwondo uniforms, and it hit me. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, and everyone who trains in it uses Korean words no matter where they live. New York has many taekwondo studios and I felt inspired to use that fact in my next book. 

Kim Aram says "Let's Go to Taekwondo!" was partially inspired by the numerous studios she saw devoted to the Korean martial art in New York.

What about your latest book?

"Tomorrow Is New Year's Day" will be published in December. It's about Seollal, or Lunar New Year, one of the two biggest national holidays in Korea. I wanted to share its story with readers outside of Korea who might not know about it. I want this book to be fun but also informative in a fun way so that readers can learn about Seollal while reading.

What made you create a children's book series on Korean culture?
I didn't plan to make a series, just a book about kimchi because of its place in Korean culture. I also wanted it to be a story that kids can closely relate to, and it became "No Kimchi for Me!" Because the book was so well-received, the publisher was excited for me to continue with the Korean theme. And I was more than happy to do this.

"No Kimchi for Me!" earned the author a flood of positive responses from readers who had eaten kimchi.

What project do you dream of doing one day?

I would love to do a series on Korean folktales. I grew up with these stories as a kid and they are fun and adventurous. I want to present these tales in a way more appropriate for children. 

What advice do you have for aspiring illustrators?
Draw what you love and know. As a student, my teacher told me this, and I remember writing down a cat, Korea and food on a piece of paper. I also remember thinking that these were not that great to draw. But after years passed, I look back now and realize that everything I've done so far came from this list. 

This illustration is from Kim Aram's book "Sunday Funday in Koreatown."

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.