As we kicked off a brand new year 2021, we brought to you this cute picture, a page of Richard Scarry’s I am a Bunny. Isn’t it cheerful? A bunny blowing the dandelion flower! The meanings of the dandelion flower are healing, intelligence, the warmth and power of the rising sun, surviving through all challenges and difficulties, long lasting happiness & youthful joy and getting your wish fulfilled.

Jan 15, 2021

#17booksfor17SDGs Goal 17 : Justice, peace and strong institutions Our pick for the SDG #17 is 열두 개의 키워드로 이해하는 국제개발협력 by Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA), a government-funded agency dedicated to carrying out aid programs and multilateral development cooperation projects primarily in countries with ongoing conflicts. As the world is struggling with problems such as environmental pollution, climate change, economic inequality, technology gap, terrorism and conflict, it is the people of vulnerable countries who are suffering the damage more seriously than anyone else. This book written around 12 key words introduces the reader to recent trends and issues critical to understanding international cooperation. To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goal 17 : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/globalpartnerships/

Dec 23, 2020

#17booksfor17SDGs Goal 16 : Justice, peace and strong institutions Our pick for the SDG #16 is On Such a Full Sea by Chang-rae Lee. Its Korean title is 만조의 바다에서. The author presents a dystopian vision of the future where society is strictly stratified by class, a future not impossible for today’s readers to envision. This book from 2014 feels relevant now with themes of class hierarchies, racism, environment, public protests, and even a pandemic. “It is 'where we are' that should make all the difference, whether we believe we belong there or not.” To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goal 16 : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/peace-justice/

Dec 22, 2020

#17booksfor17SDGs Goal 15 : Life on land Our pick for the SDG #15 is 태어납니다 사라집니다. Wildlife populations have fallen by more than two-thirds in less than 50 years according to a major report by the conservation group WWF. Nature is being destroyed by humans at a rate never seen before. In this book, the writer asks us to see the damage human activity is doing to the natural world and to think about the world where there is no birds in the mountain, no fish in the river and no songs heard in the forest. To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goal 15 : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/biodiversity/

Dec 21, 2020

Looking for a good novel to read over the holiday break? What about Milkman by Anna Burns? This book is the 25th winner of the International DUBLIN Literary Award this year. Milkman was published to critical acclaim in 2018 and won the Man Booker Prize in that year, too. It is available in Korean, translated by HONG Hanbyeol and published by Changbi Publishers. Tonight, for her excellent translation of Milkman, translator HONG Hanbyeol will be given the 14th You Yeong Translation Award, which is annually awarded to translators in memory of You Yeong for his outstanding contribution to literature translation. Congratulations! https://twitter.com/changbi_books/status/1333693155552575488?s=21

Dec 21, 2020

#17booksfor17SDGs Goal 14 : Life below water Our pick for the SDG #14 is 고래를 삼킨 바다쓰레기. Children's picture book dealing with the latest issues of sea waste. Plastics account for more than 80% of the waste in the sea. Larger pieces of plastics break down into microplastics and have become increasingly prevalent in the natural world. This book helps to think about sea waste from various angles with friendly explanations and unique drawings that are easy for children to understand. To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goal 14 : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/

Dec 20, 2020

#17booksfor17SDGs Goal 13 : Climate Action Our pick for the SDG #13 is 두 번째 지구는 없다 by Tyler Rasch, an American who lives and performs in South Korea as a television personality. The book “there is no second earth” was written out of a sense of emergency that humanity will soon perish unless we change ourselves to tackle climate crisis. As a consumer, we must actively demand environmental measures from companies and exert influence through purchasing. It also introduces countermeasures from countries around the world and suggests solutions to environmental problems. Climate and environment experts stressed the seriousness of the climate crisis, saying, "the impact of climate change on human life and economy is not comparable to COVID- 19." To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goal 13 : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/

Dec 19, 2020

#17booksfor17SDGs Goal 12 : Responsible consumption and production Our pick for #SDG 12 is 세상에 무해한 사람이 되고 싶어 As the climate issue has emerged as a hot topic around the world, “Zero Waste,” has begun to become a global trend. The zero-waist shop without packaging started in Germany in 2014 and has spread all over Europe, and it is also on the rise. In the book, the author shares her thoughts on the zero-waste life and introduces easy ways to put into practice in our daily lives such as shopping without trash, enjoying coffee without trash, and using a shampoo bar. To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goal 12 : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/

Dec 18, 2020

#17booksfor17SDGs Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities Our pick for #SDG 11 is 우리가 사랑한 빵집 성심당. This book tells the story of the 50-year old bakery from its very beginning. Sungsimdang started its business making steamed buns under tent and grew to be a very successful bakery with over 400 employees. Renowned economist Luigio Bruni praised Sungsimdang as an alternative business model where everyone can be happy. It is the pride of Daejeon and is ranked as the number one company that Daejeon young people want to work for. It gives us valuable insight on how a good company contributes to a city and grows together with a community. “At Sungsimdang all work is shared. If they are short-handed, the executives work more, instead of making their employees do overtime. The company is built on honest work and mutual trust.” To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goal 11 : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/

Dec 17, 2020

#17booksfor17SDGs Goal 10: Reduced inequality Our pick for #SDG 8 is 로지나 노, 지나, a reportage book that records the history of undocumented migrants who had to live as invisible and illegal people in Korea; the story of Rogina, a Bangladeshi girl who came to Korea at the age of five and became an adult. The author is Ranjoo Lee, who works in solidarity with immigrant workers at Asiasori, non-profit private organization based in Bucheon. To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goal 10 : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/

Dec 16, 2020