ALA Booklist (Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2010)

Older brother Chong describes a Korean family's preparation for his baby sister Sara Mee's tol, or first birthday celebration. In addition to special food and music, the family plays the game toljabee, in which symbolic items are placed before the child. According to custom, the first item the child grabs predicts his or her future.When Sara Mee picks up the paintbrush, Chong celebrates by making a card, providing words for his sister's scribbles. Watercolor pictures framed with a thick black line focus on Sara Mee, charmingly outfitted in traditional dress, and her very proud, helpful brother. Of particular interest to Korean American families, this festive story also introduces a different cultural birthday tradition to non-Koreans. An author's note personalizes the story and explains a little more; a glossary of terms is appended, but there is no pronunciation guide.

Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

A Korean American big brother tells of the events leading up to his baby sister's tol (first birthday party). At the party, Sara Mee picks the paintbrush from among the symbolic objects placed before her, foretelling her future career as an artist. The warm ink and watercolor illustrations are filled with cultural details. Glos.

Kirkus Reviews

The celebration of a Korean baby's first birthday has special significance, with a fortune-telling ritual taking center stage. Big brother Chong considers his little sister's future throughout the day, wondering if she might grow up to become a musician, a dress designer or even the captain of a boat. The prophecy ceremony finally begins with symbolic objects drawn from a box and placed within reach of baby Sara Mee. What will she choose? The premise intrigues, but this choice delivers more information than story. Although Chong has some sweet moments with the baby, he is not a complete character. A glaring question—what did Chong pick at his first birthday?—is never asked, although the answer is indicated. O'Brien's illustrations, done in ink brushline and watercolor, although colorful and pleasing, leave the characters two-dimensional and add little to an already weak story. Further, Chong's mother's assurance that "Girls can be anything in America," sounds an oddly discordant note. Still, readers interested in Korean culture will welcome the description of this unique tradition, especially since there is little else on the topic. (glossary, author's note) (Picture book. 3-6)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The collaborators' close connection to their book's theme—Avraham (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Joey's Way) has an adopted Korean daughter, and O'Brien grew up in a bicultural family in South Korea—adds authenticity and warmth to this story of a Korean-American girl's first birthday celebration. Sara Mee's extended family and friends gather for a traditional <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">tol, at which items representing various professions are placed before her; the object she first touches designates her future path. The narrator, Sara Mee's cheerful six-year-old brother, Chong, is honored to be a key participant in the ceremony and is thrilled when his sister reaches for a symbolic paintbrush. Chong gives her paper and crayons, and she draws pictures for which he—who at his own <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">tol made a choice that evidently predicted a writing career—supplies the text. Rendered in ink brushline and watercolor, O'Brien's (the Jamaica series) illustrations are welcoming, if not especially memorable; there's no real emotional range beyond genial smiles exhibited among the members of Sara Mee's family. Avraham provides a glossary of Korean words used in the story. Ages 3–6. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Feb.)

School Library Journal (Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2010)

K-Gr 2 Sara Mee is about to mark her first birthdaya very special day in her Korean-American family. After she is dressed in the colorful silk hanbok her grandmother made for the occasion, family and friends gather to celebrate with food and presents. The highlight comes when they play the game toljabee , which predicts what Sara Mee will be when she grows up. The story is told by her older brother, Chong, who anxiously awaits the game. He is excited when he is allowed to participate by presenting the game pieces to his sister. Sara Mee reaches for the paintbrush and waves it in the air, and everyone knows she will be an artist. Chong puts a pack of paper with crayons in front of her, and while she draws, he writes words to go with her picture. A glossary identifies the Korean words and their meanings, but there is no pronunciation guide. The illustrations are ink brush line with watercolor and done in vibrant colors. The love among family and friends is evident in these pictures, depicting their joy about this important event. Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA