The Three-Year Tumble
Based on a Korean Folktale
Based on the traditional Korean folktale “Samnyeongogae” (“Three-Year Mountain Pass”), this picture book parable by Korean-German artist Dayeon Auh features a fateful mountain, a superstitious grandfather, and a granddaughter with a clever perspective on life.
Legend says that anyone who falls down Misfortune Mountain has three years left to live. Grandfather must travel over the treacherous mountain to get to the market, but one day catastrophe happens and he tumbles down! The doctor says he is perfectly healthy, but Grandfather feels the end is near . . . until his granddaughter comes to visit and makes a different calculation about his fate.
From then on, the legend of the mountain takes on a new meaning and everyone finds themselves eager to tumble down it. A fable that demonstrates how a change in one’s mindset can make a positive impact.
Auh, a muralist, skillfully incorporates various media—acrylic, watercolor, oil pastel, felt-tip marker, and colored pencil—making each page pop with life. The rich landscapes are lavishly textured with strokes, lines, and blots of color, enhancing the upbeat tone of the text. A bright and lively addition to any folktale shelf.
Kirkus Reviews