Books of Wonder

A Spoonful of the Sea

A Spoonful of the Sea - Main image
$9.49 $18.99 In stock

Category: Signed Books

*Signed copies!*

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Honouring the tradition of serving miyeokguk on birthdays and inspired by the lives of Korea’s haenyeo, this lovely picture book celebrates the bond between mothers and daughters

On her birthday, a girl is presented with a bowl of miyeokguk, seaweed soup—instead of the cake she wants. As she stirs her soup, her mother tells her how mothers eat it after giving birth and how it is served on birthdays to honour them; about haenyeo, women who dive into the ocean’s depths to harvest shellfish and seaweed; and how, many mothers ago, a pregnant haenyeo saw a whale eating seaweed after giving birth and tried it after having her own baby—creating a tradition that would continue for generations of daughters to come.

Award-winning picture book creator Hyewon Yum has crafted a luminous and heartfelt celebration of motherhood, heritage and the deep-rooted connection between women and nature.

Customer Reviews (4.8 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Lucy ★★★★★

My daughter picked this out for her halmoni's birthday and the watercolor haenyeo diving scenes had us both a little misty. The signature on the title page is a lovely touch too.

Samuel ★★★★★

The miyeokguk birthday tradition in this one hit close to home — my kids finally get why we eat that soup every year. The signature on the title page is a nice touch too, not just a scrawl.

Ava K. ★★★★★

My mom cried when she saw the signature page—it's the thought that counts, and this book carries so much heart. The way it weaves the haenyeo tradition into a mother-daughter story feels both personal and universal, perfect for reading on a birthday.