Maya and the Turtle

Maya's mother is a gentle soul. When she dies she bequeaths her daughter the task of caring for her father - and for herself. For her mother once had a dream that Maya was meant for great things, and it was the kind of dream that always comes true. Although she is poor, Maya grows kinder and more beautiful with each passing year. One day, she finds a little turtle and takes him home, raising and caring for him, never knowing that he will play a part in her destiny. Beautifully illustrated filled with fascinating nuggets of information about Korean culture, this book offers beautiful Korean tale of the rewards of kindness, patience, and a loving heart, and a lesson in how true glory - even if foretold - must be earned.

"An original folk tale set in Korea tells the story of a selfless young maiden who is sacrificed to the monster in the neighboring village. [...] The core of the story (a girl sacrifices herself to aid her ailing father) is both strong from a plot point and a significant theme in Korean tales..."-Kirkus Reviews