K-Publishing: Book Launch

Over 50 children participated in our K-Publishing workshops with a core group of thirteen children bringing the publication to completion alongside Kids’ Own Publishing and author of Kimchi is for Everyone, Julie Choi.   

Across the program the children explored Korean folktales, food, music, language and dress, and folded their own languages and stories into everything they made. The art came first, and the children's creativity led the way. Kimchi recipes, Hangeul brushed by hand, and a great many cute cats. Some of the children have Korean families, many don't, and that is the point. Here, a culture is for everyone, and no one has to get it right to belong.  

Welcome to K-Publishing book launch / Source: Kids’ Own Publishing / Photo: Thomas McCammon

There will be readings by the young authors, an exhibition of the original artworks and behind the scenes video, as well as cake. Children and families will also be able to make their own 8-page book and have it published on the spot!  

Copies of The Krazy Quest for the Best 김치 / 김치 대소동 will be available for purchase and the authors will be happy to sign your copy.

Supported by Museums Victoria and Australian Government, this project is a partnership with Associate Professor Julie Choi from the University of Melbourne, Immigration Museum and Kids' Own Publishing, who publish books written and illustrated by children. Julie's approach, Arts-Rich Translanguaging Pedagogy, starts from a simple idea: children are the experts on their own experience, and every child has languages, cultures, and stories worth building on. The arts are the way in for everyone. With Kids' Own Publishing established methodology of artist-led publishing, children can reach towards a new language and culture and come away having made something truly their own.