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Hyewon Yum

ユム・ヘウォン

Hyewon Yum

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
Seoul, South Korea
Nationality
South Korean
Languages
Korean, English
Residence History
Brooklyn, New York, USA (resident)

Career

Occupations
Author, Illustrator
Active Years
2008-

Education

Seoul National University
Country: South Korea
Reported to have completed undergraduate and graduate programs (details not specified).
School of Visual Arts (SVA)
Illustration (studies)
Year of Graduation: 2009
Country: United States
Her SVA graduation project became her first picture book, Last Night.

Awards

Golden Kite Award
2020
Work: Clever Little Witch
Organization: SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)
Result: 受賞
Charlotte Zolotow Award
2019
Work: Saturday Is Swimming Day
Organization: Charlotte Zolotow Award committee
Result: Honor Book
ALSC Notable Children's Books
2019
Work: Saturday Is Swimming Day
Organization: ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children)
Result: 選出
CLEL Bell Award
2017
Work: Puddle
Organization: Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy
Result: 受賞
ALA Notable Books
2017
Work: Puddle
Organization: ALSC / ALA
Result: 選出
APALA (Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature)
2017
Work: Puddle
Organization: APALA (Asian Pacific American Librarians Association)
Result: 受賞
Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award
2013
Work: Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!
Organization: Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
Result: 受賞
Best Children's Books for Family Literacy
2012
Work: The Twins' Blanket
Organization: A Baker's Dozen (selection/list)
Result: 選出
School Library Journal Best Picture Books
2011
Work: The Twins' Blanket
Organization: School Library Journal
Result: 選出
Society of Illustrators' Founder's Award
2010
Work: There Are No Scary Wolves
Organization: Society of Illustrators
Result: 受賞
BolognaRagazzi Award (Fiction Honorable Mention)
2009
Work: Last Night
Organization: BolognaRagazzi / Biblioteca Salaborsa (honorable mention)
Result: 名誉賞（Honorable Mention）
Golden Kite Award
2009
Work: Last Night
Organization: SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Last Night

2008 Picture book

A picture book depicting a child's nighttime routine and small adventures with a stuffed animal in gentle illustrations.

Bedtime routineComfortFamily
Translations
  • Korean edition: 어젯밤에 뭐했니?
  • French edition: Avec mon ours
  • Portuguese edition: Boa-Noite

There Are No Scary Wolves

2010 Picture book

A humorous picture book about a child confronting imagined fears of 'scary wolves'.

Overcoming fearImagination
Translations
  • Chinese edition: 门外没有大坏狼

The Twins' Blanket

2011 Picture book

A gentle story about twin sisters and their bond, depicted in tender illustrations.

FamilySisterhoodEveryday life
Translations
  • French edition: Bonne nuit, les jumelles!
  • Chinese edition: 双胞胎的小被子
  • Korean edition: 쌍둥이는 너무 좋아

Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!

2012 Picture book

A humorous picture book about a child's feelings on the first day of kindergarten.

Starting schoolGrowing upParent-child relationship
Translations
  • Korean edition: 야호! 오늘은 유치원 가는 날
  • Chinese edition: 妈妈，今天是我第一天上学！
  • Spanish edition: Mama Hoy Empiezo El Jardin De Infantes

Puddle

2016 Picture book

A picture book celebrating children's joy playing in puddles after rain.

PlayNatureDiscovery
Translations
  • Korean edition: 물웅덩이로 참방!

Saturday Is Swimming Day

2018 Picture book

A book about the nervousness and anticipation before going to the pool on a weekend.

Overcoming anxietyPlayFamily
Translations
  • Korean edition: 수영장 가는 날
  • Japanese edition: プールのひは、おなかいたいひ

Lion Needs a Haircut / Lion Needs a Shot

2020 Picture book

Part of a series about a lion dealing with everyday matters like haircuts and vaccinations, told gently.

HealthGrowing upEveryday life
Translations
  • Korean edition: 으르렁 이발소
  • Korean edition: 으르렁 소아과

Bibliography

  • Last Night (2008)
  • There Are No Scary Wolves (2010)
  • The Twins' Blanket (2011)
  • Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten! (2012)
  • This Is Our House (2013)
  • The Twins' Little Sister (2014)
  • Puddle (2016)
  • Saturday Is Swimming Day (2018)
  • Lion Needs a Haircut / Lion Needs a Shot (2020 / 2022)
  • Grandpa Across the Ocean (2021)
  • Numerous collaborations and illustrated books (2013–2024)

Translations of Works

  • Last Night translated into Korean, French, Portuguese, etc.
  • The Twins' Blanket and Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten! translated into multiple languages.

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Soft color palettes and simple line workPerspective that empathizes with a child's point of viewBlend of humor and empathy in tone
Recurring Motifs
Family and everyday intimate momentsBedtime/waking, water (pools, puddles)Overcoming small anxieties

Legacy

A Seoul-born picture book author and illustrator based in New York, Hyewon Yum is internationally recognized for her gentle illustrative style and child-centered stories. She has received multiple awards and her works have been translated into several languages.

Academic Societies

  • SCBWI (associated)

Trivia

  • Her first picture book, Last Night, originated as her SVA graduation project.
  • She has participated in exhibitions and events such as the Brooklyn Book Festival and illustration shows.
  • Her books have been translated into Korean, Japanese, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, and other languages.
  • Resident of Brooklyn.