The King's Secret: The Legend of King Sejong

Rating:
Summary: A Deep Disrespect for Other Cultures
Review: Another reviewer has written that this book can "expand (children's) ideas of other cultures, histories, and possibilities." But nothing in these illustrations is right - not the clothing, architecture, or landscapes. Not only will children receive an incorrect impression of Korean culture, but in fact the inaccuracy of these illustrations, and the obvious failure to do even basic research, shows a lack of understanding and a fundamental disinterest and disrespect for "other cultures." This sort of ignorance used to happen decades ago; in this day and age, in our smaller, shared world, it is unacceptable.

Rating:
Summary: A Deep Disrespect for Other Cultures
Review: Another reviewer has written that this book can "expand (children's) ideas of other cultures, histories, and possibilities." But nothing in these illustrations is right - not the clothing, architecture, or landscapes. Not only will children receive an incorrect impression of Korean culture, but in fact the inaccuracy of these illustrations, and the obvious failure to do even basic research, shows a lack of understanding and a fundamental disinterest and disrespect for "other cultures." This sort of ignorance used to happen decades ago; in this day and age, in our smaller, shared world, it is unacceptable.

Rating:
Summary: Fictionalized story should not be considered to be a Legend
Review: I cannot believe my eyes. The author who has no clue about Korean culture and wrong illustrations ruins what could have been a wonderful story. At first, I thought it was a book about Indian culture. I am pretty upset that this is the second time this author has done this with different publishers. Her first one was so awful that it was written up as a book to avoid in the Asian American Librarian Newsletter. Vote with your money. Please skip this title. King Sejong is credited with invention of Korean letters. If you want authentic books try recommendations from Asia for Kids. If you are a Korean or Korean American, please write to the publisher. I am posting my comment to the Planet Feedback's website.

Rating:
Summary: Deeply Disrespectful of Other Cultures ... a Shame!
Review: In defense of this book another reviewer has written that it will "expand (children's) ideas of other cultures, histories, and possibilities." But what sort of ideas will they get? Nothing in these illustrations looks right - not the clothing, architecture, or landscapes, and definitely not the people! Not only will children receive a completely incorrect impression of Korean culture and peoples, but in fact the inaccuracy of these illustrations, and the obvious failure to do even basic research, shows a lack of understanding and a fundamental disinterest and disrespect for "other cultures." This sort of ignorance used to pass decades ago, but in 21st century, in our smaller, shared world, it is simply unacceptable.

Rating:
Summary: Deeply Disrespectful of Other Cultures ... a Shame!
Review: In defense of this book another reviewer has written that it will "expand (children's) ideas of other cultures, histories, and possibilities." But what sort of ideas will they get? Nothing in these illustrations looks right - not the clothing, architecture, or landscapes, and definitely not the people! Not only will children receive a completely incorrect impression of Korean culture and peoples, but in fact the inaccuracy of these illustrations, and the obvious failure to do even basic research, shows a lack of understanding and a fundamental disinterest and disrespect for "other cultures." This sort of ignorance used to pass decades ago, but in 21st century, in our smaller, shared world, it is simply unacceptable.

Rating:
Summary: Fictionalized story should not be considered to be a Legend
Review: Readers beware and do not buy the book. This book meets Eliot Singer's definition of multicultural fakelore. Yes, King Sejong is credited for inventing Korean Alphabet but this book is a fictional creation by the author and the traditional community is totally unaware of it. Korean Americans I know who have read and seen the book is equally horrified that this book is being sold as a Korean Legend when they have never heard of such story. Other reviewers talk only of how the story can inspire others and how wonderful the illustrations are ignoring the fact that it is titled as a traditional legend of Korea when it is not. The title should be changed. My excitement of finding a book about Korean Alphabet quickly turned into a huge dissapointment. Please vote with your wallet--do not waste your money.