Korean Storytime: 이상한 엄마 The Strange Mom + Norigae Craft
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 4:00–5:00 PM
Korean Cultural Center New York Library
(122 E. 32nd Street, New York, NY 10016)
Recommended for ages 4–6
Free and open to children and families.
No Korean language background required.
Spots are limited and may fill up quickly. Early registration is recommended.
(RSVP will open on April 20 at 2:00 PM)
Join us for a Korean Storytime featuring Strange Mom (이상한 엄마), written and illustrated by Baek Heena, recipient of the 2020 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, one of the world’s most prestigious honors in children’s literature.
In this tender and whimsical story, a child with a cold is visited by an unexpected guest. A “strange mom” floats down from the clouds on a rainy day to care for him while his mother is at work. She has a curious and slightly unexpected appearance. She quietly cares for the child, preparing a series of warm and unusual dishes such as a soft golden egg soup, a gently sizzling fried egg that fills the house with warmth, and cloud-like foam made from whipped egg whites and milk. Through Baek Heena’s signature handcrafted doll illustrations and soft storytelling, the story beautifully captures the quiet, often unseen ways care and love are expressed.
Following the reading, children will create their own norigae, a traditional Korean ornament worn with hanbok. This activity features a dongsim-gyeol (동심결) knot, a traditional decorative knot symbolizing two hearts connected as one. Participants will also decorate a small tin case with iridescent stickers inspired by mother-of-pearl (자개), creating a special keepsake box for their norigae.
Inspired by the story, children can take their handmade norigae home as a small and meaningful Mother’s Day gift.
About Korean Storytime at KCCNY Library
Korean Storytime at the Korean Cultural Center New York Library invites children and families to experience Korean language and culture through storytelling and creative activities. Each session introduces an engaging picture book and a hands-on project designed to spark imagination and cultural curiosity.
About the Instructors
Heuiju Kim earned her B.A. in Korean Language and Literature from Yonsei University, and a certificate in Korean Language Education from Seoul National University’s School of Education. Since 2008, she has worked as a teacher and program director at a weekend Korean school in Manhattan, educating children and youth on Korean culture and language.