This article is about the illustrator Kim Minji, and the works that she has done illustrating and drawing books of classic children’s stories.

About Kim Min Ji

Kim Minji is a freelance illustrator based in Yanju, South Korea, and has a website dedicated to her work at http://www.ki204.com.

I first came across Kim Minji’s work while I was traveling to Korea and visiting the famous tourist spot Ssamzigil (Korean/English) in Insadong  which is a nice place for independent artists to showcase their work. After looking around there I stumbled upon a shop showing Kim Minji’s work, and I was blown away.

Her drawings and interpretations of the classic children’s stories are so unique and detailed, and give a really nice korean style of drawings to each of these stories. I think her illustrations are a breath of fresh air for re-living these classic tales and re-imagining how we see these stories through her drawings. The books have a nice combination of full page pictures as well as in text pictures, which give a natural feel of how to integrate the drawings into the stories on the page.

To put it in her own words:

“I became an illustrator because I have loved drawing since childhood. To create and imagine a little story and draw a picture of it is a big pleasure for me.

My inspiration often comes from the beauty of  nature and luna – my lovely daughter.

Not only do I like the wind and sky, but also I like to draw the feeling of the wind blowing in my picture because the wind can help me add dynamism to a static picture.

I always imagine the cosmos and space, so I do like draw things flying in the sky, planets and starships. I will keep drawing pictures of warm story, harmonized with fantasy and nature’s beauty.”

I think this is a beautiful description of her work and especially encapsulates the essence of these kids stories and about escapism.

Kim Minji’s Work

She has done many different works and illustrations, but a feel of ones outlining some children’s books that I admire are:

Wizard of Oz (Find on Amazon)

The Little Prince (Find on Amazon)

Alice in Wonderland (Find on Amazon)

Heidi (Find on Amazon)

Peter Pan (Find on Amazon)

Be sure to checkout her other work on her website or easily scroll through her gallery of illustrations on Pinterest. You can see for yourself how she brings a new life to these stories and her creativity adds a new aspect in the telling of these stories through her pictures.

Wizard of Oz

This picture is a beautiful drawing of all the main characters of the story.

And here with Dorothy and the Scarecrow.

The Little Prince

This drawing of The Petit Prince, and the fascination of this character in Korea, gives a new meaning to this children’s story.

I love the use of these wide pictures with beautiful Scenery in her work.

Alice in Wonderland

Another intricate line of illustrations for the Alice in Wonderland Story.

And this is from the second story of Through the Looking Glass.

Heidi

The story of Heidi and the outdoor scenery is brought to life in Kim Minji’s work.

I love all the pictures in her rendition of Heidi.

Peter Pan

Her illustrations in Peter Pan give an extra layer of adventure to this classic tale.

And also the sense of mystery of the character.

All in all I really think people in the US and outside of Asia should discover Kim Minji and her work of beautiful illustrations in these children’s stories. I was amazed when I first saw her pictures in Korea and am still amazed today.

If you want to know more about other children’s books, checkout our resource page at BabyKidsBooks for our list on different types!