Hyelim Kim | South Korea
“Moonlight” is a lyrical picture book about a canary who loves light and her owl friend who avoids it. One night, the two journey through a dark forest and begin to understand the relationship between light and darkness. Through gentle emotion and symbolic imagery, the story explores light and darkness not as opposites, but as companions that coexist and complement one another—seen through a child’s perspective.
The canary finds courage in light, while the owl, whose hunting depends on shadows, dislikes the brightness of the moon. Hoping to share the beauty of moonlight, the canary secretly brings her friend outside. In the foggy forest, they lose their way, but when the moonlight quietly returns and lights their path, it eases their fear. In that moment, they begin to see darkness in a new way.
Targeted toward readers around age 7, this story unfolds with poetic language and a quiet emotional rhythm, gently portraying fear and how to move through it. Themes of wonder toward nature, trust between friends, and quiet personal growth are central, conveyed through abstract landscapes and expressive characters.
“Moonlight” invites readers to embrace both light and darkness—just as they are.
Education:
Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design
Communication Design
Graduation: 2023