Waiting for Tomorrow by Susan Yoon (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Waiting for Tomorrow by Susan Yoon Danica Ronquillo Yoon, Susan Waiting for Tomorrow; illus. by Julie Kwon. Farrar, 2023 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780374390228 $18.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs After a long time away from home, Appa (father) will finally return tomorrow, and Hanna and her big sister Haejin want to independently make hotteok, brown sugar-filled Korean pancakes, to celebrate. After acquiring the ingredients from the kitchen and the grocery store, Hanna tries to help Haejin mix all the ingredients and roll the dough, only to create a big mess by dropping the batter on the floor. There's not enough money left in the piggy bank to pay for more ingredients, so Haejin attempts to gather the falling snow outside to use instead, giving Hanna an idea to make things better for tomorrow. Yoon and Kwon make ordinary days extraordinary in this debut picture book about Korean immigrant siblings awaiting their father's return home. The warm palette of watercolor paint and colored pencils cheerfully depicts Hanna's imaginings, from swimming in her favorite gogi-and-turnip soup to encountering shadows shaped like woodland creatures as she and Haejin walk through a forest bathed in afternoon light. Siblings may smile with knowing appreciation at Hanna's interactions and admiration for her older sister, as she follows Haejin everywhere but sometimes does not listen to her advice. Nevertheless, Haejin's calm demeanor balances with Hanna's energetic spirit, and the tender sibling bond is illustrated with Haejin looking after Hanna, carrying her home on her back when her feet are cold or answering her questions and worries with patience and kindness. This picture book makes a fine addition to a collection with I Dream of Popo and Watercress (BCCB 3/21), with back matter including an author's note and a hotteok recipe. [End Page 80] Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois