We're heading around the world in today's read, all the way to South Korea. Jung-min Kwon has received more than a few awards for her children's books...and now, this one is being released in English. The cover looks so calming and relaxing, while the clock hints at fantasy. I'm suspecting that there will be deeper meaning in these pages to add to this playfulness.
So, let's dive in and see what this one is about. Oh, and it isn't coming out until October, so you have plenty of time to get this one on your reading lists if it sparks your interest.
THE CLOCK SPA
by Jung-min Kwon
Translated by Jamie Chang
Yonder Press
Picture Book
60 pages
ages 5 to 8
COMING OCTOBER 6th!!!
A whimsical story about time, love, and self-care; when a busy mom turns into a clock, her daughter discovers that even grown-ups need rest.
A young girl is used to reminders about minutes, schedules, and being on time—especially from her mom. One night, she wishes to stop hearing about time forever, and the next day, her wish has come true. . . almost. Her mother turned into a big blue clock!
With her clock-mother ticking beside her, the girl sets off on her scooter to find help. The clock hospital is closed for vacation, but the clock sauna is open—a magical place where worn-out clocks can rest, relax, and be repaired. Thanks to a wise old woman and a little time to unwind, everything begins to make sense again.
MY TIDBITS
Light, playful fantasy dances across the worry surrounding a mother's well-being to create a heartwarming and imaginative read.
A young girl is sick of hearing her mother constantly telling her to stay on time and sticking life into minutes and schedules. When she wakes up one morning to find her mother turned into a clock, she's not sure what to think but happily takes the sudden freedom to do things when she's ready and not according to a punctual schedule. At the end of the day, the girl comes home to find that her mother, the clock, as stopped and stands quietly on a chair. Worry hits immediately, and the girl tries to figure out who can help her, but the only helps she gets is from an old woman, who tells her to take her mother to the clock spa...whatever and wherever that might be. But that is something the girl needs to figure out on her own.
The sixty pages had me wondering if this might be a little long for the usual picture book audience, but it works wonderfully. The illustrations take the lead in these pages with the text making sure everything is understood and the tale runs smoothly. The scenes are interesting as they go from familiar life and slowly ease into fantasy. There are plenty of details to grab in and have listeners returning just to gaze and flip through them. These are accompanied with a short text...and sometimes, just the pictures hold the tale on their own. It's very appropriate for a read-aloud for the age group. And for those who enjoy cultural goodness, this one, obviously, carries that magic wonderfully.
There is a bit of sadness and worry as the tale progresses, since the girl is doing her best to help her mother. There are darker forests and moments to give a sense of tension and urgency, but this is kept gentle. The main message hits with potency depending on the listener and age group. The youngest will see that times and schedules may not be fun but carry their own place in life. There's also a message surrounding the need for mothers to, sometimes, take a break from life to reboot before diving right back in. There's also a sense of parent-child love and concern, which warms from beginning to end. Lastly and for older readers, there's a deeper glimpse at how scheduling and times steers life and its meaning, but this is a philosophical exploration on its own.
And here they are...
Jung-min Kwon is the author and illustrator of seven picture books to date. Her works have received numerous honors, including the 2021 62nd Korea Publishing Culture Award (Children & Youth) and the Grand Prize at the 2023 1st Korea Picture Book Award, and were also selected as one of the Most Delightful Books of 2025 in Korea. She also frequently contributes to educational content produced by Educational Broadcasting System (EBS).
Jamie Chang is a literary translator. Her translation of Cho Nam-joo’s Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 was longlisted for the 2020 National Book Award for Translated Literature. She is the recipient of the Daesan Foundation Translation Grant and a three-time recipient of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea Grant.
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