Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anne Kim is about a little Korean girl, Danbi, who manages to LEAD her class into her imaginary parade on her first day. Don’t let her small size fool you. Danbi has an inner strength stronger than some adults.
Read my book review of Danbi Leads the School Parade to see how the book may inspire you!
Summary
Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anne Kim follows the story of Danbi on her first day of school after having recently moved to America from Korea. Aside from being the new kid, Danbi doesn’t know English.
Nevertheless, Danbi’s simple desire TO PLAY overcomes her feelings of nervousness and anxiety. Danbi jumps right into everything. Unfortunately, it doesn’t start great. Her classmates can’t see that Danbi is trying to fit in with them. Instead, her personality traits and actions seem “weird.”
Despite being discouraged, Danbi keeps trying. She can’t help herself. Everything is an inspiration for fun. Eventually, the class is enchanted by Danbi’s endless imagination. By the end of the day, Danbi makes a new friend, about whom she excitedly tells her mom later, “We’ll play again tomorrow!”
Why Read It
Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anne Kim is for reading ages 4 – 7. However, the story has many takeaways for all ages.
1. Teaching Girls to be Brave, Not Perfect
Danbi has that child boldness that always amazes me. When the teacher asked Danbi to write her name on the board, she went up in front of the class and did it. She was proud of her Korean name. She didn’t think it’d be strange to her American friends. When the music started, Danbi danced with the others because she liked to dance. She didn’t think it’d be awkward to do a dance she’s never done.
Knowing how quickly kids grow up, I wondered if Danbi will outgrow her boldness to become less uninhibited and more self-conscious?
The question reminded me of a TedTalk by Reshma Saujani. She presents that little girls, like Danbi, are conditioned to be perfect and discouraged from taking risks because it may lead to failure. In contrast, little boys are encouraged to take risks because their failures are perceived as brave and lessons to their further success.
Fortunately, Danbi certainly didn’t have concerns with being perfect. She had a beautiful first day of school. This story is a wonderful example that little girls are brave!
2. Simple Illustrations Full of Personality
The illustrations are my favorite part of the book. Given that Danbi doesn’t speak English, there isn’t much dialogue, so the pictures become an important part of the story. The detail of each hair and minimal lines of the facial expressions depicts each emotion successfully.
I went through the books a few times to pick up charming details I missed previously. Like the tiny Korean dolls on the bottom shelf. Or the red polka dots on her shoelaces to match Danbi’s skirt.
Simple and clean, the pictures give the story life. I can frame and hang every picture all over my house and be inspired.
3. Friendships We Couldn’t Live Without
Danbi’s story is based on the personal experiences of the author. In the author’s note, Anna Kim shares how her friendship with a classmate was the first step to feeling at home in America.
When I was around 6 years old, the neighborhood kids were mean to me. They played pranks and tell me they hated me. It’s a lot for a 6-year-old to handle, but I don’t remember being significantly traumatized. I do remember my friend, Sara.
When we met, I thought she was beautiful with her soft brown hair and big blue eyes. She always asked if we could play. I loved spending time with her. We had so much fun, and I remember all our favorite toys.
When my family moved out of the neighborhood, we both cried and cried. I wish I knew her last name to find her maybe. I wonder if she ever thinks back at our times as I do.
4. More Korean Culture to Share
When I was growing up, it was rare to see any Korean references in pop culture. If anyone in my family heard or saw Korean on TV, we’d quickly shout and call out to others, “THAT’S KOREAN!!!” Then, I’d go out and talk about it with my friends. “Did you see that show last night? There was KOREAN on it!”
In the book, Danbi shares her culture in delightful ways. When Danbi writes her Korean name in “perfect straight lines” on the chalkboard, I instinctually thought with excitement thought, “I can read that!”
It’s different now. Korean pop culture is so much more relevant in America. BTS received the first-ever Grammy nomination for K-pop. Parasite was the first Korean movie to win an Oscar for best picture. Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland swore into office wearing a hanbok. Two others join her as the first-ever Korean-American women to be elected to Congress. I’m as proud now as I was growing up catching glimpses of Korean on TV.
I hope when I tell my kids how little Americans knew about Korean culture, they’ll be shocked. Kind of like when I tell them there used to be no internet.
Related Titles
Thank you for reading my book review! Danbi Leads the School Parade is part of my Book List “About Korean-American Girls.” Check my other book reviews:
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Art Credits
- All illustrations by @fritaketchup
- Photo 1 Reading by cottonbro from Pexels
- Photo 3 Like a Boss by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
- Photo 4 For My Kids by Pixabay from Pexels
- Photo 5 Friendship by Charles Parker from Pexels
- Photo 6 Idea by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels