A quirky story about finding your voice, from internationally acclaimed author Heena Baek. Tong Tong could never have imagined what everyone around him was thinking. But when he gets hold of some magic candies, suddenly there are voices everywhere. He can hear how his couch feels, what upsets his dog, that his demanding dad loves him. He even gets to catch up with his dead grandmother. It turns out, these voices in Tong Tong’s life have A LOT to say! Is Tong Tong ready to hear it? At turns funny, weird, and heartfelt, this imaginative picture book from award-winning Korean author Heena Baek will take readers along on Tong Tong’s journey as he goes from lonely to brave. K-Gr 3-When a lonely boy, Tong Tong, goes to the store to add to his marble collection he ends up with some marvelous hard candies instead that enable him to hear some of the hidden voices in the people, animals, and inanimate objects around him. A plaid-patterned candy channels the voice of the long-suffering couch, where the remote is jammed; the pink gum ball brings wistful Tong Tong, cued as Asian, the consoling voice of his dead grandmother; the black-and-white candy lets him converse with his dog; and the prickled candy lets him hear the love and care beneath his hectoring father's endless commands. Ultimately the magic candies lead Tong Tong to make friendly overtures to another lonely boy while the falling autumn leaves whisper goodbye. Baek's sweet and funny original story is exquisitely illustrated in mixed media including detailed sets, digital backgrounds, and sculpted figurines. Tong Tong is a figurine dressed in jeans and a stripy knit sweater, with teeth that are growing in crookedly, shiny black hair, and an amazing range of facial expressions; readers do not have to rely on the text to know what he is thinking. Baek delicately balances humor with poignancy to avoid oversentimentalizing this appealing story. VERDICT Complemented by gorgeous illustrations, this is a must-have for any children's collection.-Jane Barrer, United Nations International Sch., New Yorkα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. “Show-stopping spreads by Baek, similar to art by Red Nose Studio, feature molded, emotive figures in meticulously constructed scenery with miniature furniture, photographed under dramatic lighting―an effect startlingly close to animation. It’s a fully realized world that considers discerning meaning and making friends, while offering artwork that lingers in the memory.” ― Publishers Weekly (starred review) “The enhanced artwork establishes depth and perspective…depictions of facial expressions are skillful and endearing, and the interplay between text and illustrations will cause readers to linger and ponder. An enigmatic, quirky representation of an active imagination in search of understanding and companionship.” ― Kirkus Reviews “This picture book import is so good that it’s been turned into stage productions in South Korea…You’ll also be sure to treat your couch with greater kindness after a single read.” ―NPR “Hilarious and heartbreaking, this inventive picture book will change the way readers view their world.” ―New York Public Library “Deeply touching, funny, and incredibly odd, this is the kind of picture book that gets you excited about picture books all over again… Magic Candies is so remarkable…a book that is both about giving voice to the voiceless and finding your own.” ―Betsy Bird, School Library Journal “ Magic Candies is an incredibly sophisticated work of art as well as an unusual, funny, and moving story making it a winning combination.” ― Outside In World “At turns funny, weird, and heartfelt, this imaginative picture book from Korean author and storyteller Heena Baek will take readers along on Tong Tong’s journey as he goes from lonely to brave. Uniquely illustrated with color photography, and skillfully translated into English by Sophie Bowman, Magic Candies is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-8.” ―Midwest Book Review Heena Baek is an acclaimed picture book author and illustrator from South Korea. She won the 2020 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, a huge international award honoring the body of work of children’s book creators. She studied educational technology at Ewha Womans University and animation at the California Institute of the Arts. Utilizing her diverse animation production experience, Heena creates powerful and interesting picture books, often sculpting characters and building sets. She is the author and illustrator of a number of picture books, many of which have been translated and have received awards from South Korea and internationally. Follow her on Twitter @heenastory. Sophie Bowman studied social anthropology and Korean studies at SOAS University of London bef