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Tiny Feet Between the Mountains

Illustrated by Hanna Cha

About The Book

A young Korean girl comes up with a clever plan to help her village and a spirit tiger in this “gorgeous and moving debut” (Booklist, starred review) from Caldecott Honor– and Asian Pacific American Award for Literature–winning author-illustrator Hanna Cha.

Soe-In is a tiny child in a village full of large people. She struggles with completing chores due to her size, but she never gives up.

One day, when the sky grows dark and full of smoke, Soe-In volunteers to travel into the tall mountains to investigate. She’s surprised to find a spirit tiger there and learn he has swallowed the sun by mistake!

To help the spirit tiger and her village, Soe-In must come up with a clever idea to solve this gigantic problem. And while she’s at it, she just may prove that the smallest people often have the biggest, bravest hearts.

About The Author

Photograph by Hayden Sherman

Hanna Cha is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. She spent her childhood in both Korea and America, and currently lives in Boston where she loves crinkling her nose in the early morning breeze and snuggling her tiger-like cat, Hobac. Tiny Feet Between the Mountains is her first book. Visit her online at HannaCha.com.

About The Illustrator

Photograph by Hayden Sherman

Hanna Cha is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. She spent her childhood in both Korea and America, and currently lives in Boston where she loves crinkling her nose in the early morning breeze and snuggling her tiger-like cat, Hobac. Tiny Feet Between the Mountains is her first book. Visit her online at HannaCha.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (November 5, 2019)
  • Length: 40 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534429932
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Raves and Reviews

* "This gorgeous and moving debut from Cha is a worthwhile addition to any picture-book collection."

– Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

"Plucky Soe-In may be extra tiny, but her confidence and resourcefulness should earn her a large space on library shelves everywhere."

– School Library Journal

"Cha's debut picture book captures the bold ethos of an ancient Korean legend with sparkling energy, dramatic fires, and giant tigers....A bold and mythic female underdog tale."

– Kirkus Reviews

"This picture book will be a favorite as a read-aloud or during individual quiet time. Recommended."

– School Library Connection

"[Hanna Cha's] richly hued spreads swirl with inviting action, her tiger-themed panels especially burst forth in flaming swaths of gold, orange, brown and black strokes, as if the tiger's energy can hardly be contained on the printed page."

– Shelf Awareness

Awards and Honors

  • Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award (NY)
  • Massachusetts Book Award "Must Read" List
  • Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award Nominee

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images