Q&A with Ginger Park

 

 

 

 

Ginger Park is the author, with her sister, Frances Park, of the new children's picture book My Sister's Doljabi. It focuses on the Korean first birthday tradition where the baby picks an object that will be significant for their future. The Park sisters' other books include Suka's Farm. 

 

Q: How would you describe the relationship between your character Hoon and his baby sister, Binna?

 

A: Hoon is a loving older brother who dotes on his baby sister and hopes for everything beautiful for Binna. Like most older siblings, he’s very protective and wants Binna to live a long life.

 

Q: What do you think Violet Kim’s illustrations add to the story?

 

A: The incredibly talented Violet Kim is a gifted artist whose illustrations bring a luminous visual voice to the story. Each page sings of color.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?

 

A: My goal is always to engage, and it’s my hope that the theme of family and love will do just that. I also hope that the book will pique children’s curiosity in other cultural celebrations.  

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m currently juggling two projects:

 

A picture book about a Korean girl whose family moves from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., during Korea’s harvest holiday called Chuseok; it’s a magical and heartwarming story about finding light in a new home.

 

And a YA novel that I’ve deemed a life project. The work might never see the light of day, but I’m compelled to write the story of my mother’s brother who was a Korean rebel during the Japanese occupation. During his short life (he died at 19), he quietly fought for Korean human rights, elevating awareness. My hope is to give voice to his memory.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: My Sister’s Doljabi Book Launch Party is on Nov. 1, 2025, at the Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. (https://washingtondc.korean-culture.org/washingtondc.korean-culture.html). If your readers haven’t been, it’s a must visit! A very cool place drenched in all things Korean culture.

 

It will be a very interactive book launch with Korean food including the traditional Korean birthday cake—rainbow rice cake! Guests will have the opportunity to try on real hanboks displayed at the Korean Cultural Center. I plan to take a lot of photos!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Ginger Park.