VOL.69/2024.04

Gilbut Children

Happy empathy found through globalization of Korean emotions “Gilbut Children Publishing”

2017.7.28

Korean publishers are expanding their presence in the offshore publication market. At this time when foreign publishers taking increasing interest, here are two unique Korean publishers we personally visited to hear their diverse stories.

“Happy books, warm books, books you want to keep forever and ever.”

This has been the publishing philosophy behind Gilbut Children Publishing since it was founded in 1995. Gilbut has been given credit for forging a market for picture books on barren land and today, it publishes a variety of books through which children can understand Korean culture and emotions.

△ Cover art for Gilbut Children Publishing's representative books: Jeong-saeng Kwon's Puppy Poo
and Daddy Will Go! from Young-jin Kim's picture book series

Gilbut became known to the world a year after it was founded with the publication of Jeong-saeng Kwon's Puppy Poo. Selling more than 250,000 copies, the bestseller also enjoys popularity overseas. Also, Young-jin Kim's picture book series has been received favorably in not only South Korea but China and Taiwan as well. Another book series called Gilbut Children Science Picture Books with illustrations that detail scientific facts in ways children can easily understand is also slated to be published every year in addition to Kim's picture book series.

Another work of Kwon, Mount Kumgang Tiger will also be published with illustrations by Seung-gak Jeong. Gilbut holds high hopes this will be another work of art that will astound young readers following Puppy Poo. This book will be jointly published in South Korea and Japan, possibly spurring more foreign attention.

△ Titles published by Gilbut Children Publishing on display overseas

Gilbut has continuously turned its attention to foreign markets. It has been a constant participant of the world's biggest children's book fair in Bologna since 2002, playing an important role in showing foreign readers the high quality of Korean picture books and exporting them. It has exported books to nine countries: Japan, the United States, Taiwan, France, China, Germany, Spain, Poland and Switzerland. Its key export titles include Puppy Poo, the Jiwon and Byeong-gwan series, the Young-jin Kim Picture Book series and the Gilbut Children Science Picture Books series.

Especially, Sori’s harvest Moon Day that was translated and published in Japan was selected as a recommended book for grade school students there, prompting sales of roughly 70,000 copies. Gilbut's science picture book series enjoys continued popularity in China, with around 100,000 copies sold every year.

△ Cover art for Gilbut Children Science Picture Books Series

Gilbut Children Publishing has also been making efforts to globalize the South Korean way of thinking and feeling. The publisher has said it would like to stress its picture books are deserving of much attention as they are now being read all over the world and not just in South Korea.

What makes Gilbut's books so popular in the international market? Industry observers attribute this to their picture books that are easy to understand and help readers to think on their own and grow. The various emotions and facts children need to feel and learn are all in the books with colorful illustrations. According to a Gilbut executive, "We hope our books will always be there to help children around the world grow and understand".

Written by Young-jong Lee (Reporter, Joongang Ilbo)