Mommy’s Hometown
By Hope Lim
Illustrated by Jaime Kim
Candlewick, 2022.
Ages preschool to grade 2
This summer I am sharing an uplifting, intergenerational family tale inspired by the author’s visit to her childhood home in Korea.
Mommy spends time sharing her stories of growing up with her young son. Her vivid stories have let the boy visit her homeland in his thoughts and dreams “At night, Mommy would tell me about where she grew up.” She gives details of the adventures and games she shared with her family and friends. Fortunately, they have an opportunity to travel to Mommy’s hometown to visit her mother.
Hope Lim wants the readers to imagine how over time her hometown has changed while some things have actually stayed the same. “Everything is different from her stories.” Seeking the differences is part of the visit to Mom’s hometown as is finding and sharing a piece of her childhood in the modern landscape. Mom helps her son appreciate the stories they have shared.
A misinterpretation can happen between a parent’s memories of a place and the current reality. The young son is definitely confused about the changes that he witnesses. Where she described a village along a river, surrounded by mountains, now there are paved roads, concrete sidewalks and the skyscrapers block their view. He feels a connection with his Mom and her memories, and discovers that even though time brings change, the important things can still be present, especially in the spirit of community and family. “I imagine Mommy playing as a girl under the red sky. And I am there, too.”
The story unfolds to a child’s-eye view, honors the immigrant experience and the timeless bond between parent and child. The urban progress doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy their time together as they explore her hometown creating new stories.
Jaime Kim’s digital illustrations with the deep color backgrounds enhance the text showing the differences between the new and nostalgic.
The book is universal even while the story has a uniquely Korean setting. Readers will have a rich discussion on connections between generations and how towns develop and expand. Can you go home again? What is the meaning of home? Maybe going home again can never be exactly as you remember.
Hope Lim, the author of I Am a Bird, was born and raised in South Korea, she now lives with her family in San Francisco.
Jaime Kim was born and raised in Korea before moving to the US at the age of eighteen. Her books include La La La: A Story of Hope by Kate DiCamillo. She currently lives in North Carolina.
Submitted by Karen Kosko
