PICTURE BOOK REVIEW : Late Today by Jungyoon Huh & Myungae Lee
ABOUT THE BOOK
One rainy morning, the Seogang Bridge hums with traffic—and in between the cars is a tiny kitten. People mutter to themselves, but no one wants to stop or slow down. The raindrops pelt the road; the cars screech and honk; the kitten mews. Finally one car pulls over…
With atmospheric art by acclaimed illustrator Myungae Lee, Late Today asks readers to choose compassion in the midst of busyness. This stirring story is perfect for cat lovers, city dwellers, and anyone who’s ever lost themselves in the rush of life.
REVIEW
While the illustrations aren't my favorite, the story tugged on my heartstrings. A young kitten wanders onto a bridge in South Korea. Many people see the kitten in trouble but no one dares to try to help because of the rain and the heavy traffic. Until a child and his mother pull over to the side in an effort to find the and help the kitten. A reminder of the power of kindness in making the world a better place. The child's empathy shines through as does the mother's willingness to encourage her son's desire to help even on a busy morning where everyone is in a rush. A simple story with a profound message, Late Today, encourages readers to be upstanders rather than bystanders. The variety amongst the illustrations highlights specific moments in different ways. The panels on one spread show the kitten darting among the cars in confusion. A full double spread shows the variety of people who look away rather than watch what seems to be an approaching disaster. The double page spread that shows the gauntlet the kitten must pass to survive. And the rain pounding down as the kitten finds refuge under the car in which the child and mother sit. The short text combined with the unusual illustrations makes this a book that stands out. Recommended.
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