A synonym for uniqueness, with a thick layer of fans
The power of Song Mi-kyung, the most notable children's book author today

Strange, unique, novel… … Author Song Mi-kyung, who has created her own unique domain by always evoking a mixture of surprise and admiration, has now established herself as an indispensable name in Korean children’s literature.
In the picture book 『The Boy Who Chewed Stones』, the illustrations breathe in a completely different way from the fairy tale, and new sentences are written that are faithful to the original meaning while also having a rhythmic flavor.
Song Mi-kyung also copied all the pictures in this picture book to better understand the artist Serge Bloch, who worked with her this time.
It was Song Mi-kyung's own way of understanding every nook and cranny of how the artist arranged each element to compose the scene.
Thanks to this, every single word he writes is firmly connected to each scene.
The sentences roll smoothly through your mouth, and the more you chew on them, the richer the meaning within them becomes.
It seems simple, but it is by no means simple; it is a work filled with meticulous thought and calculation about the picture book genre.


Bologna Ragazzi Award winner, Time magazine cover artist
The Stone-Eating Boy by the delightful and sensual illustrator Serge Blochmann

Dear readers, this book is strange.

It's a story about a child who chews on stones.

I liked this strangeness and tried to draw it.
After reading this book, you might want to eat a rock too.

Stones are very difficult to digest.
Unless it's chicken, that is.

But just to let you know, I've seen chickens reading books.

Enjoy reading and eating!
_Serge Bloch

Serge Bloch, winner of the Bologna Ragazzi Award and the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal, said he was drawn to the text's bizarre nature and took on the job of illustrating it.
In 『Enemy』, the essence of war is pierced through just two holes, and in 『I Wait...』, a person's life is unraveled with a red thread. In the picture book 『The Stone-Eating Child』, the author boldly combines the rough texture of stone with the texture of clear, soft watercolor paint to unfold a landscape of 'strangeness' that fascinates him.
Although different textures are placed, they are harmonious and not heterogeneous.
The unique free pen strokes glide freely between them, drawing the cheerful figure of a child.
The sight of a smiling child makes us feel at ease.
Serge Bloch's "The Stone-Eating Child" is, above all, a story that affirms and cheers on children as they are, each with their own unique colors.
Serge Bloch once again demonstrates his unique talent for expressing profound philosophy concisely and wittily.
Thanks to this, we were able to see a 'stone smile' that was so bright that it made us feel refreshed.


A world where everyone can like what they like

The synergy between the two authors, who communicated through words and pictures across thousands of kilometers, will guide readers into a wider world.
It is a place where there are children who chew on rocks, children who eat erasers, children who dig up dirt, and children who eat rusty nails.
It's a world where anyone can like what they like, thanks to the magic spell, "Whatever you eat."
If you are a fan of Song Mi-kyung, a fan of Serge Bloch, a fan of 'The Stone-Eater', and anyone who keeps a secret, open this picture book.
As author Song Mi-kyung said, we all live with a stone or something else in our pockets, and that secret deserves to be supported.


Actually, I'm also a kid who chews on rocks.

There's always a stone in my pocket.

I hear a creaking sound every time I walk.

Sometimes I hear that sound from the pockets of people I meet in the alley.

People who walk with stones in their pockets or chew them
It's everywhere.
What's in your pockets?
_Song Mi-kyung