Two Korean picture books have won the 2025 Prix Sorcieres, one of France’s most prestigious awards for children’s and young adult literature.
The French edition of the Korean picture book "Borders" (direct translation of the Korean title) has won the award in the Nonfiction category.
Written by Gudol and illustrated by Haerang, the book explores the concept of borders -- the human-made boundaries that "can appear, disappear and change suddenly."
Titled "Qu'est-ce qu'une frontiere?" in French, the book was originally published in Korean in 2021.
"Borders" draws from Gudol’s personal experiences on a 28-month backpacking journey during which the author crossed numerous borders on foot. Through vivid storytelling, the book sheds light on the realities and experiences unfolding at borders around the world.
"The strength of this documentary lies in raising awareness among young children about the concept of borders by conveying humanist messages," said the prize committee.
Another Korean picture book "Mo Story" ("L'Etoile de Mo" in French) by Choi Yeon-ju has won the award in the Passionnant MINI category.
Choi's debut picture book follows the adventure of a curious cat named Mo, who sneaks out of the house in the middle of the night.
The prize committee described the book as a "pure delight." "A tender, naive and valiant hero invites young readers to believe in their intuition and their ability to throw themselves, without fear, into new experiences," it said.
Established in 1986, the Prix Sorcieres is jointly organized by the Association of Librarians of France (ABF) and the Association of Children's Bookstores (ALSJ).
This is the first time a translated work by a Korean author has received the prize, which is awarded to books published in the French language.
hwangdh@heraldcorp.com
