Choi Yeon-joo's 'Mo Story' Wins Prestigious Italian Literary Award

20 hours ago
Choi Yeon-joo's 'Mo Story' Wins Prestigious Italian Literary Award

The Italian edition of Choi Yeon-joo's picture book, 'Mo Story' (titled 'Gatto Mo e gli amici del bosco' in Italian), has been awarded the Esordienti prize at the 'Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi', as announced by the publisher, Etnun Books, on May 17, 2025.

Established in 2016, the 'Ragazze e Ragazzi' category of the esteemed Italian literary award, 'Premio Strega', recognizes outstanding children's and young adult literature published in Italy over the past year, including translations. The awards are divided into two categories: the Esordienti for debut authors and the Narrazione per immagini for picture books. Notably, this award is significant as it involves young readers in the selection process, marking the first time a Korean author has received recognition in this category.

'Mo Story', released in South Korea in 2023, is Choi's debut picture book, inspired by his own cat, Mo. The narrative follows a curious kitten named Mo who embarks on a nighttime adventure in the woods. With this latest accolade, Choi has now achieved three prestigious awards, following a Special Mention at the Bologna Ragazzi Award last year and the 'Passionnant MINI' award in France this year.

The jury praised 'Mo Story' as a sweet, simple yet profound tale that guides young readers on a journey of growth and discovery. They highlighted the author's concise and accessible writing style, along with his own illustrations, which enhance the immersive experience of the story. They described it as a perfectly warm and engaging book for young readers seeking heartfelt narratives.

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