King Sejong Invents an Alphabet

A Junior Library Guild Selection March 2022

How do you create a new alphabet?

In 15th-century Korea, King Sejong was distressed. The complicated Chinese characters used for reading and writing meant only rich, educated people could read -- and that was just the way they wanted it. But King Sejong thought all Koreans should be able to read and write, so he worked in secret for years to create a new Korean alphabet. King Sejong's strong leadership and determination to bring equality to his country make his 600-year-old story as relevant as ever.

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K-Gr 3-Yi Do was born in Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1397, and as a member of royalty, was taught to read and write Hanja, the complex Chinese characters Korea used at that time. It was difficult to learn Hanja, but Yi Do loved learning and reading. When Yi Do became king, his name was changed to Sejong. As king, Sejong realized that most people, especially the general population, could not read Hanja. The characters did not match Korean sounds and words. Korea needed its own alphabet, so Sejong took on the task of creating Hangeul. This had to be done in secret since the wealthy wanted to keep the general population ignorant to maintain power. Sejong, and Hangeul, helped improve the lives of people all over Korea. In the back matter, readers learn that it took many more centuries, and quite a few wars, for Hangeul to become the official alphabet. This is an engaging, informative, and accessible biography with bright, inviting artwork about man who had a major impact on language and the marginalized citizens of his country. VERDICT A wonderful addition to elementary school biography collections.-Kristyn Dorfman, Friends Academy, Locust Valley, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. REVIEW
A Junior Library Guild Selection March 2022



"An artful telling of the birth of an alphabet." -- Kirkus Reviews



"An engaging, informative, and accessible biography with bright, inviting artwork about man who had a major impact on language and the marginalized citizens of his country." -- School Library Journal



"This picture book unfolds like a folktale as Sejong becomes a benevolent ruler who cares just as much for the underprivileged as for the rich and creates his new alphabet in secret, defying opposition from those in power." -- BOOKLIST

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carol Kim has written several fiction and nonfiction books, and enjoys researching and uncovering little-known facts. A second generation Korean American, she also loves creating stories that share Korean culture beyond kimchi and K-pop. Carol lives in Austin, Texas with her family.

Cindy Kang is an artist and illustrator from Seoul, South Korea. She graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She has received awards and recognitions from American Illustration, 3x3 Magazine, The Society of Illustrators, and Communication Arts, among others.

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