Description

* Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop

A mysterious rice cake shop that changed Manbok, a curmudgeon, a grump, and a brawler!
The warm growth story of the grumpy Manbok, 『Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop』. It is a fairy tale corresponding to the ‘reading level 3’ that guides reading and writing in our creative fairy tale series 「I like reading books」. It depicts the changes that Man-bok, who has a habit of saying and doing bad things, goes through when he meets a mysterious rice cake shop. Man-bok, whose bad words and actions come out contrary to his heart, finds a mysterious rice cake shop on his way home one day. A strange price tag that says you have to do two good things to eat Baramdduk. Man-bok begins to do good things without being able to eat rice cakes… .
As you eat the rice cakes one by one, the process of Manbok gradually changing unfolds as soft and warm as delicious rice cakes. The writings of Kim Ri-ri, a fairy tale writer who draws children’s daily lives with wit and rich imagination, and Lee Seung-hyun, who won the Korea Children’s Book Award in the illustration category, harmonize well. Manbok’s expressions and changes were abundantly captured.
* Publisher book review
The cursing man, the grumpy man, the brawler Manbok
A warm and sweet story of growing up after meeting a mysterious rice cake shop
The new “Manbok’s Rice Cake House” by Kim Li-ri, a fairy tale writer who unravels children’s daily lives with wit and rich imagination, has been published in Biryongso. This fairy tale contains the warm and joyful changes that Man-bok, who grew up in a good family but unknowingly spits out bad words and actions, meets a mysterious rice cake shop. Kim Ri-ri has already shown her talent for expressing ‘familiar troubles’ in a ‘fresh’ way by combining children’s daily lives with fantasy through 『Pit Poop Gift』 and 『Toad Living in the Toilet』. 『Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop』 also expresses the process of gradually changing Manbok, a cursing person, a grumpy person, and a fighter, by eating magical rice cakes one by one. By adding fantasy elements to Korea’s traditional food, rice cake, you can feel the unique fun and chewy taste of reading a traditional fairy tale. In addition, Lee Seung-hyun, who won an award in the illustration category at the Korea Children’s Book Awards for “Ssireum”, enriched Manbok’s facial expressions and changes with his unique paintings.
Manbok’s amazing transformation with a combination of fantasy and chewy writing as if reading a traditional fairy tale
“When you eat glutinous rice cake, your mouth sticks to it,
If you eat honey rice cake, sweet words come out easily?”
Contrary to his own mind, Man-bok always has bad words and actions. Of course, schoolmates tend to avoid Manbok like that. Then one day, Man-bok finds a strange rice cake shop on his way home. It is ‘Manbok’s Rice Cake House’. Man-bok is fascinated by the same name as himself and is drawn to the sweet and savory smell of the rice cake shop. But each rice cake has a strange price tag attached to it! To eat wind rice cake, you need to do two good deeds, and to eat mugwort rice cake, you need forty-two children’s laughter. Man-bok, who has never done anything good, must have no owner anyway. He sneakily picks up the rice cake, but, well, the rice cake disappears before his eyes.
Manbok begins to do countless good things to eat rice cake. After eating the glutinous rice cake, Manbok stopped saying bad things, and when he silently helped his friends and did two good things, he was able to eat wind rice cakes that made him laugh. Like this, the magical power gained from eating rice cakes becomes a catalyst for Man-bok to do another good deed. Also, the important thing is that what makes that change is, in the end, Manbok’s own will. Although he starts to do good deeds out of the desire to pay for the rice cake and eat the rice cake he wants to eat, in fact, the rice cake is just an excuse. Man-bok is upset by his words and actions that come out differently from his innermost heart, and in the end, he shows how he makes a soft and warm change on his own like rice cakes step by step.
Delicate lines and colors that smell like rice cakes
Man-bok, who acts ugly against his heart, gradually changes into a positive image, which is humorously and uniquely portrayed. A warm and friendly color was used, and a fantasy feeling was added to the background to bring out the changes and emotions that Manbok reveals each time he eats a rice cake. Manbok’s expression changes depending on the situation, and a smile naturally springs up.
* Date of issue : 03/09/2022
* Page : 52
* Size : 156*222*10mm
* Hardcover







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Paloma Castellano from Barcelona, España (verified owner) –
Desde que me topé con la tienda de pasteles de arroz de Manbok, no he dejado de cuestionar lo extraña y encantadora que puede ser la vida. Nunca pensé que una simple caja dorada llena de baramdduk podría alterar mi visión del mundo. Mi desdén hacia actos amables fue retado al instante; era como si esos dulces transformaran mi enfoque sobre mis propios errores pasados. A pesar del escepticismo inicial –sin contar las bromas involuntarias sobre el fracasado artista plástico- terminé deseando dejarme llevar por ese ciclo positivo fomentado por ayudar a los demás primero, un encanto sorpresivo floreciendo donde sólo existía monotonía amarga antes.
Paloma Rodriguez from Puebla, Mexico –
In the heart of Puebla, Mexico, Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop is a vibrant haven that transformed my weekly routine into a celebration of kindness. After savoring each morsel, I felt inspired to make small changes in my community—what an unexpected joy! The enchanted experience pushes one towards goodwill and personal growth.
Marina Ribeiro from São Paulo, Brasil –
Oi! Você não vai acreditar na mágica que aconteceu no Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop. Fui lá só para espiar, mas o lugar tem uma energia louca, como se a cada mordida nos bolinhos mágicos de arroz você começasse a sorrir sem querer! O Manbok parece um cara amargo, tipo seu tio rabugento nas festas. Mas olha só… ele começou a fazer coisas boas depois que achou o cartão ‘faça duas boas ações’. Rir e comer enquanto todo mundo junta faz bem pra alma! Vamos torcer pro Manbok continuar nesse caminho bacana!
Zhenya Kolosov from Kazakhstan –
At first glance, ‘Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop’ feels like a charming exploration of transformation nestled within the culinary arts. Manbok, once the neighborhood’s discontented soul, encounters an enchanted rice cake shop that defies typical storytelling norms. The stark juxtaposition between his initial demeanor and gradual metamorphosis showcases a relatable journey wrapped in Korean cultural nuances. Interwoven throughout this tale are themes of redemption and community warmth – effortlessly highlighting how simple acts of kindness can sow seeds for deeper change amidst mundane routines. Each engagement with rice cakes isn’t merely sustenance; it reflects broader human connections that resonate beyond generational confines.
Jenna from Boulder, USA (verified owner) –
So, I stumbled upon Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop, and honestly, what a delightful surprise! At first glance, I thought it’d just be another children’s story. But this tale of the grumpy old fella turning his life around really got to me. The way they use rice cakes as a reward for good deeds is such a unique spin on motivating change in behavior! It was all about kindness—like you do two nice things and get to savor these chewy treats (seriously delicious!). Made me reflect on my own day-to-day interactions; who knew reading could inspire some introspection? Plus, the illustrations are stunning too! Such attention to detail that pulls you right into Manbok’s world. Definitely worth checking out whether you’ve got kiddos or just fancy a heartwarming read yourself!
Jake from Toronto, Canada –
Man, I gotta tell ya, ‘Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop’ was quite the read! At first glance, I thought it was just a story about some grumpy old dude. But lemme say—when Manbok stumbles upon that mysterious rice cake shop and learns he’s gotta do good deeds to earn his treats? Classic! The way they describe Baramdduk had me drooling; it’s like this chewy texture mixed with sweetness that is heavenly. I felt for ol’ Manbok as he tried so hard but couldn’t help being grouchy at times—it made him super relatable! Honestly loved watching him evolve while munching on rice cakes. You walk away feelin’ inspired to be better yourself—like what a cute fairy tale should do!
Definitely recommending this one if you’re lookin’ for something heartwarming that’ll brighten your day.
Kevin from Boston, USA –
Alright, so I got my hands on ‘Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop,’ and let me tell ya, it’s quite the delightful read! The whole idea of a grumpy dude changing his ways through good deeds just hit home for me. It really had that warm fuzzy vibe you look for in a story. Manbok stumbles upon this mystical rice cake shop with some pretty wild rules—like having to do two nice things before munchin’ down on these scrumptious Baramdduk cakes! How creative is that? I found myself rooting for him as he learned to spread kindness while chowing down on those tasty treats. Plus, it’s aimed at younger readers but honestly has such great life lessons for anyone who picks it up. Gotta give kudos to the way they blend fun with learning here.
Sarah from Bristol, England (verified owner) –
I gotta say, I was skeptical at first about Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop. It just seemed a bit quirky for my taste, but boy, did it surprise me! The whole idea of doing good deeds to earn your rice cakes is kinda cool—like giving you that feel-good vibe while you’re reading. Each rice cake description made my mouth water; they sound absolutely delish! By the end of the book, I found myself rooting for grumpy old Manbok as he turned his life around and started being nice to folks. Such a lovely tale with heartwarming moments and some laughs too! A fantastic pick if you’re looking to inspire some goodness in younger readers.
Emily from Austin, USA –
Reading ‘Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop’ was a delightful experience. The transformation of Manbok, who is initially grumpy and difficult, through the mysterious rice cake shop really captivated me. I appreciated how the narrative encourages acts of kindness as he learns that you must do two good deeds to enjoy the Baramdduk rice cakes. This engaging storyline not only kept my interest but also sparked conversations about morality with my kids. We discussed what it means to be kind and helpful in everyday life; it turned reading time into an enriching family moment.
Jessie from Austin, Texas –
I recently got my hands on ‘Manbok’s Rice Cake Shop,’ and lemme tell ya, it was quite the read! The whole concept of Manbok, a total grump, turning his life around just by doing good deeds for some rice cakes? Pure gold. Each time he helps someone out in hopes of scoring those delicious Baramdduk treats—it’s like watching this dude have a mini epiphany or something. I felt real warm vibes reading about his journey; it’s heartwarming while also kinda funny at times. It definitely gave me pause to think about spreading kindness in our everyday hustle! If you’ve got kiddos learning to read, they’ll totally vibe with the story and lessons inside. Totally recommend giving it a go!