About the book
South Korea-land of hope with daily challenges
Life for North Korean refugee children is intense. As forerunners of united Korea, they arrived in South Korea full of hope. They had hoped for instant evaporation of their fears and darkness from North Korea, but they face new challenges in South Korea as they try to become accustomed to the new life. Created by out tragic history, North Koreans and refugees¡¯ human rights issue continues to hurt us. The whole world is watching how we deal with the problem. More than 30,000 North Korean refugees live in the South now. Tens of thousands of refugees are scattered throughout third countries like China, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
Their dream is to become South Korean citizens. The rest of us automatically became South Korean citizens without any effort, but North Korean refugees must put themselves through a life-or-death ordeal in order to become citizens. What should we do for them following their arduous journey in search of freedom and happiness? We must welcome them with open arms, of course. We must love them look after them so that they can live happily. They are our people, not monsters.
Words from the Publisher
Children¡¯s Book by Noh Kyung-sil
who laughed and cried together with refugee children
¡¶No More Tears for Us, Mom¡·tells us about the realities of what North Korean refugee children experience daily. In this book, Ms. Noh depicted the life of a ten-year-old boy named Gan-cheol who had escaped from North Korea with his parents. She tells her story in a way that South Korean children can understand.
At the same time, the author tells the refugee children, ¡°Children, my children, you overcame all the warlike hardships to get here! You must know from your experience that there are more kind people here in the South, right? I know it is hard for you still, but don¡¯t lose your courage and patience. Let¡¯s move ahead toghther! Hold my hand and never let go!¡±
Thus, Ms. Hoh shows our children the meaning of getting along. At the same time, she prompts us to think about ¡°What does it mean to live like a human being?¡±
Table of Contents
Fresh Start
Unpeaceful ¡°Peace Class¡±
Mom, Let Me Hug You
I Am Who I Am
I Have a Dream, I Won¡¯t Cry Anymore!
Author¡¯s Note
Author Introduction
Noh, Kyung-sil Writer
Ms. Noh is known to take walks to soothe herself at times when her heart feels heavy. What brings smiles to her face during these walks is the sight of children and puppies at play. More than anything, the sounds of children¡¯s laughter and tears flowing from their hearts inspire her writing. As a young writer, she made a prestigious debut in the fiction and children¡¯s book genre. She devotes her writing to children and young adults. She has authored a number of books, including Clay Cookies: Bake Dreanms and Hope; Laundry Basket: Hold Dreams and Hope; Children¡¯s Journey Into Humanities Study 1-3; The 6th Grade is King; The Prettiest Mom in the World; My Dad, My Friend; SangGyeDong Kids; Talmud For Children. She also translated numerous volumes of children¡¯s books, such as What Are You Doing [Chepito]?(Elisa Amado); Yuna Kim:Ice Queen(Christine Dzidrums); If the World Were a Village(David Smith); The Storm Whale(Benji Davis), and others.
Kim, Hayne Translator
Kim Hayne is the same age as the main character, Gang-cheol, in this book. Hayne, who has been abroad since she was a child due to her Kiplomat father, became interested in North Korea and the lives of North Koreasn chilsren after reading the book ¡°No More Tears for Us, Mom!¡± Deeply moved by the great sufferings of other children her age, Hayne decided to begin translating North Korean stories herself and having her work published. Hayne¡¯s English maunscript was audited by John Cha, a member of PEN America.
Moon, Bo-kyung Illustrator
Ms. Moon¡¯s mission in life is to crate merry, pleasant artwork filled with dreams for children. Besides the children¡¯s books, her work has appeared in magazines, graphic books, and corporate advertisements. Her children¡¯s books include, A Colt From Peru, TongTond World History, Syria¡¯s Tears, I Have Something to Confess,... My Friend, and Our Grandma Has Expensive Taste.
Fresh Start
Unpeaceful ¡°Peace Class¡±
Mom, Let Me Hug You
I Am Who I Am
I Have a Dream, I Won¡¯t Cry Anymore!
Author¡¯s Note