A new work by Jo Oh, a writer with an extreme perspective on the world.

The new work of picture book author Jo Oh, who has been recognized worldwide for her work, including her first original picture book, "My Corner" (2020), which was selected as a "Outstanding International Book" by the Council on Books for Young People (USBBY) in 2024 and as a "Picture Book of the Year" by Kirkus Reviews in 2023, has been published.
The author's gaze, which has affectionately observed beings that move forward at their own pace despite anxiety and fear, has now reached the birds that live with us in this work.


"Dots, Lines, and Birds" is a picture book that depicts the small but strong courage that changes the world and the importance of a life of solidarity with one another.
Using birds that cannot fly freely in the sky and die by colliding with artificial structures built by humans as their subject matter, the work illuminates the path to hope through the courage of small and fragile beings that seem helpless in the face of reality.
The artist's solid skills stand out, precisely capturing a fragment of everyday life while simultaneously creating a profound resonance through colorful and sensual images.
Moreover, the detailed observation and sense that connects the boundaries between light and darkness, reality and fantasy, make us think about a life that coexists peacefully with nature.
This is a picture book rich in stories that children and adults can read and share together in times of environmental crisis.


“This book began with a bird I saw from the school window when I was young.

I am now carefully bringing out words that I have kept buried for a long time.

I believe in the miracle that different voices can create together.
“I tell this story to the little birds that live somewhere.” _Author’s Note

“But you never know.”
The belief that one point can change the world

The story begins with crows and sparrows flying in the sky in a city surrounded by high-rise buildings.
The two spend their days peacefully, cutting through the cool forest of tall buildings.
Then one day, the crow witnesses a sparrow unable to avoid a transparent glass window.
A crow brings a fallen sparrow home and cares for it with great care.
He no longer wants to endure it silently, blaming himself for not being able to protect his friend.
After much thought, the crow decides to do what he has long dreamed of, and begins marking dots and drawing lines on windows throughout the city.
Then, birds that live with the same spirit from somewhere come one by one and add color.
As the transparent window fills with a variety of colors and shapes, we are deeply reminded that we can move forward toward a better tomorrow alongside those who are with us.
Before we knew it, the windows of the buildings that make up the city were filled with fantastic scenery drawn just as they wanted, as much as they wanted.
『Dots, Lines, and Birds』, which takes as its motif the '5x10 rule', which refers to a small space of less than 5cm in height and 10cm in width where birds do not attempt to fly, provides warm comfort and deep emotion to those who strive to protect what is precious.
The cityscape filled with dots and lines will provide comfort and hope to future generations.


A dazzling landscape of solidarity
The beauty of a world of coexistence

The crow that collects feathers that have fallen on the roadside mourns the lives that have lost their unique space and disappeared in the world unilaterally created by humans.
The ending of the work, where the crow, which had been moving between reality and fantasy, finally breaks down that boundary and begins to dot again, makes us realize what we must do to live a better life.
The description of the city that serves as the story's backdrop is also detailed.
The tall, dense landscape of buildings made entirely of transparent, reflective glass forces us to confront the real-world problems that our society must address immediately.
The dazzling landscape of solidarity that the author unfolds subtly shows the beauty of a world where nature and humans coexist, and also emphasizes the spirit of solidarity and its practice.
The message that flows clearly across the entire work resonates deeply and leaves a deep aftertaste.