Grafolio + Seoul Wow Book Festival
The 3rd Imagination Book Illustration Contest Winners

“I hope the blue pond stays there for a long time.”
Our family story, drawn in a simple blue and line style, is as warm as a hug.
A duck hears a baby crying in a pond and turns away to look after it for a while. But when a baby crocodile calls out to him, “Mom!”, the two become a family.
The baby crocodile always follows the blue duck wherever he goes.
The blue duck always protects the baby crocodile.
Like any other mother, she washes him clean and even teaches him how to swim even though he is afraid of water.
The two sometimes lie down in the blue pond and take a nap.
Blue Duck, who has become a mother, is happy to see her baby crocodile growing up.
The crocodile grew up quickly and was now able to pick flowers for his mother.
And he grew into a crocodile much bigger than his mother.

Then one day, Blue Duck's memories begin to fade little by little.
There were more and more days when the blue duck didn't remember the crocodile, but the crocodile wasn't upset.
Now the crocodile takes care of the blue duck as he did when he was a child.
Even if the memories of the blue duck fade, something remains in their hearts that will not disappear.


"The Blue Duck" is a picture book that tells the author's story, beginning with a scene where a grown crocodile holds a blue duck and reminisces.
I included thoughts that passed through my mind while spending time with my grandmother, who passed away from dementia a long time ago, and in the space I shared with her.
The author says that if you think of someone after reading this book, the memory of that person will probably remain in your heart as something precious.
“I put my thoughts on future parents into this book.
“I want to protect you as firmly as a crocodile.” - Author’s Note

As children grow, there comes a time when the roles of parents and children change.
And sometimes, I think of my parents when they were my age, trying so hard for me when I was young, and sometimes I come across my parents who seem to have gotten smaller as I grow up.
And I also remember the times we held and cherished each other.
The story of the two, drawn in a calm and composed manner, may perhaps contain a reality that can be a bit difficult and arduous.
I hug those two a little more warmly.
In the name of the family.