Theatre is a collective art form. With everything that goes into a play—from analyzing the text and acting it out with others on stage, to preparing stage props, sets, and background music—no one person could do it all on their own. Through plays, children are able to experience the process of forming mutual trust and collaborating with others to accomplish a common goal.
Book 1 – Let’s Put On a Play: A Guide for Children
Written by Jin Hyeong-min and illustrated by Lee Ju-hui
From selecting a play to setting up the stage—the entire process of putting on a play
Everything children need to know about plays from children’s author Jin Hyeong-min
This guide book explains how theatre clubs for children prepare and perform plays. Through this easy-to-understand guide book, young readers will learn that theatre is a fun game they can play anywhere with their friends.
Book 2 – Once Upon a Time in a Village Somewhere: 10-minute Plays
Plays written by Jin Hyeong-min and illustrated by Heo Jiyoung
10-minute plays that anyone can enjoy
This is children’s author Jin Hyeong-min’s first book of plays for children. Once Upon a Time in a Village Somewhere contains four plays adapted from old stories. These short plays, which are written for children experiencing plays for their first time, are full of the humorous narratives and satire that is unique to old stories.
Book 3 – The Strange Game
Plays written by Oh Se-hyeok and illustrated by Lee Jiyeong
Plays for the classroom recommended by playwright Oh Se-hyeok
This book contains three plays that can be enjoyed in the classroom without any stage setup or props. Through natural dialogue that imitates everyday conversations and stage directions that are explained in a way that children can express their feelings in their own way, this book allows children to experience to the fullest the liberating feeling of performing theatre.
Book 4 – The Yellow Cat and the White Bear
Plays written by Kim Jung-mi and illustrated by Hwang Biori
A puppet show with friends
This book contains two puppet show-like plays by children’s author Kim Jung-mi. The plays focus on those individuals who are socially alienated—like a stray cat, a multi-cultural child, and a tenant farmer from the Joseon Dynasty. Through stories about individuals who lean on each other to pick themselves up, young readers will not only learn about the importance of living together but also the joy of theatre.