Birthday Soup

In this bustling domestic work celebrating a ritual rooted in maternal appreciation, a girl of Korean heritage—excited to eat a special soup on her special day—learns about the food’s deeper cultural meaning. On the morning of her birthday, young Maia notices “a delicious smell brewing in the kitchen.” Her umma explains it’s miyeok guk, often called birthday soup because it’s eaten by new mothers for its vitamins and nutrition. And then, “every year on their birthdays, those children eat miyeok guk to honor their mothers.” With recipe-level granularity, conversational lines take readers through each step as Maia helps her family with the preparation, reflecting that “the love she puts into the soup is what makes it special,” and decides what to serve friends at her party. Chang insightfully conveys a child’s experience of learning to take part in an established Korean custom, and steamy swirls throughout Kim’s digital pink, purple, and yellow palette tie together generations strengthened by birthday soup. A glossary, author’s note, and recipes conclude. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)
Correction: The text of this review has been updated for clarity.