Piano Playing Bear (Kim Young-jin)

Kim Young-jin Picture Book Series: The Piano-Playing Bear
 A new picture book has been published by Kim Young-jin, an author who captures the everyday lives of our families with vivid illustrations. *The Piano-Playing Bear* is the fifth story in the 'Kim Young-jin Picture Book' series, following *The Singing Piggy*, *Does Mom Think of Me at Work?*, *Does Dad Think of Me at Work?*, and *I'm Sorry, Thank You, and I Love You*. The previous work, *Does Mom Think of Me at Work?*, was the story of a family where the mother works. This time, it is the story of a family where the mother is a full-time housewife. What does Mom do at home after Dad goes to work and the children go to school? How must Mom feel when she is left all alone?

 My mom turned into a bear!
 “Mir’s Mom! Have you seen my phone?”, “Mom! Where is my jump rope?”, “Mom! Give me food!” Mir’s family’s mornings are a chaotic mess as they search for their mom. Yet, Mom handles various tasks effortlessly. Although she is full of energy in front of her family, she sighs when she is left alone to look at the messy house. Her daily routine consists of doing housework, looking after the children, and enduring the family’s tantrums. One day, while her gaze lingered out the window, Mom turned into a bear. As Mom became a bear, the stable daily life of Mir’s family crumbled. Grandmother, who came to visit after hearing the news, listened to the voice in Mom’s heart. She told her that Mom wanted to play the piano. The family was shocked, but they joined forces, showing consideration for one another and helping Mom the bear play to her heart’s content and to play well.

 A story about supporting and cheering on mom
 Family members take it for granted that a mother should always be by their side for the sake of the family, so they habitually lean on her and complain. However, the truth is that Mom needs time to herself and has things she wants to do. She simply endures and waits for the sake of the family, postponing her own wishes. Eventually, Mir's mom ended up turning into a bear. Mir's family accepts their mom, now a bear, just as she is. Although the house is a mess, Grandma helps with the housework, Dad looks after the children, and Mir cares for Green, filling Mom's void. Green washes apples every day for the apple-eating mom bear. Now, the family understands what Mom wants to do and supports and cheers for her new challenge. *The Piano-Playing Bear* beautifully portrays a family living together, understanding and accepting each other in any form, leaning on one another, and filling each other's needs. It even captures the image of Mom smiling sweetly and saying, "Of course!" as she sees her family looking for her as usual. What about our moms? The stethoscope Grandma brought allowed us to hear the stories inside Mom's heart. You don't have a stethoscope? Then, give your mom a tight hug and listen carefully. You will surely hear her heart.

 Delicate illustrations that enrich the story
 The stark contrast between the neatly organized house when Mom is present and the messy state when she is absent is striking. The sight of the family attentively caring for Mom, who has transformed into a bear, is heartwarming. From the image of Mom Bear silently playing the piano, to the family's sorrowful gazes watching her, to their brightening expressions as she improves her playing, and the teary eyes she has as she looks at them, one can clearly feel the deep affection they have for one another. Mom Bear's concert portrays her inner self with greater richness and beauty, conveying a magical quality that marks her return to her true self. The thunderous applause that pours out after the performance is a testament to the family's gratitude toward Mom. Mom looks confident and magnificent as she returns to her daily life.