The House Before Falling Into the Sea: A Q&A with Ann Suk Wang & Hanna Cha
When it comes to books published in 2024, I refuse to choose favorites. That said, I feel no qualms about bestowing a potential award for Best Historical Fiction Picture Book Title, because this year it is definitely going to the just published The House Before Falling Into the Sea. Lotta things to love here. First, there’s the mystery behind the name. Next, the fact that it was created by newly minted Caldecott Honor winner Hanna Cha and debut picture book author Ann Suk Wang. But better than all that is the book itself. Here’s the summary from the publisher itself:
“A child and her family take in refugees during the Korean War in this poignant picture book about courage and what it really means to care for your neighbors.
Every day, more and more people fleeing war in the north show up at Kyung Tak and her family’s house on the southeastern shore of Korea. With nowhere else to go, the Taks’ home is these migrants’ last chance of refuge “before falling into the sea,” and the household quickly becomes crowded, hot, and noisy. Then war sirens cry out over Kyung’s city too, and her family and their guests take shelter underground. When the sirens stop, Kyung is upset—she wishes everything could go back to the way it was before: before the sirens, before strangers started coming into their home. But after an important talk with her parents, her new friend Sunhee, and Sunhee’s father, Kyung realizes something important: We’re stronger when we have each other, and the kindness we show one another in the darkest of times is a gift we’ll never regret.”
It’s already racked up three starred reviews with Kirkus crowing that it’s, “a lyrical gem of a story”, Horn Book saying it’s, “A touching homage to the author’s own grandparents’ heroism, which also offers rare insight into complex feelings about personal sacrifice and witnessing the suffering of others,” and Booklist also calling it “touching” and “beautiful” by turns.
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Today we’ll be talking with Ann and Hanna about the title, where it came from, changing your intended audience, family coincidences, research, and more:
Betsy Bird: Ann and Hanna, thank you so much for answering my questions about your latest! First and foremost, I’d love to know more about how this book came to be. Ann, could you talk a bit about what inspired you to create this tale in the first place? And was it always a picture book in your mind?

photo by Howard Min
Ann Suk Wang: The story of people living in my grandparent’s home during the Korean War, while my mom was seven-years-old, came in bits and pieces over decades. But when my father passed away, there were people at his funeral who I had not seen in a very long time. My mom told me that they stayed with her family during the war. I realized just then, that people we used to visit with when I was young were friends of the family and descendants from the days of wartime Korea in Busan. (Kids, it’s worth it to listen to and ask about your family’s stories!)
I always knew I wanted to write something about this, but I didn’t know what format was best. I actually started writing this as a middle grade novel because I thought the topic was too serious for elementary school kids. But since I also enjoyed writing picture books and well, young kids go through tough things, too, I thought I would give it a try. Once I started, I could see it was flowing well and knew I had something special.
BB: Reading your Author’s and Illustrator’s Notes at the end of the book, one thing that stands out is how both of your family histories are so deeply tied to Busan. How did you both come to work on this story together?

photo by Chrissy Bulakites
Hanna Cha: The thing is, I didn’t know that I had family ties to being a refugee in Busan until I asked my grandma about it when I received the manuscript. At that time I only knew in passing – very roughly that my grandma fled from the North with her two older brothers. As I talked with her more to understand that time during the Korean War I started to put her stories together and realized she was one of the many who took that trek down to the south during the war. Working on this book and story allowed me to explore my roots that I didn’t know were a part of me. It was a magical lucky coincidence.
Ann: Rosie, the editor (as I like to call her) pointed me to Hanna. And I simply LOVED her work: the watercolor, the facial expressions, the epic flowing nature of her brush strokes… magical! I could clearly see her images paired with my words, elevating them and giving them life. After she agreed to work on this project, she sent a letter about how her family was related to this story. I got chills. We were meant to be together… or our art needed to be married.
BB: Hanna, since this story is set during the Korean War, I have to assume that you were inclined to do some kind of research for your illustrations. What does that kind of research look like for you?

Hanna: When I work I tend to take the most time in my sketches and research phase. Especially for books that are based on history and real moments, I want to make extra sure that they reflect that period as accurately as I can. But, in all honesty, I am that little mole who loves scavenging for references. However, I did a lot extra for this project haha. My research involves hoarding hundreds of tabs of articles and blogs, looking up books, and scouring photography and videos from that period onto one big virtual billboard that I can go back to, and then I will just sketch sketch sketch. For this project, I especially spent a lot of time looking up a lot of videos of Korea during the 1950s. Unfortunately, I needed to sift through a good number due to most videos focusing on the army or the war front of the Korean War. But as much it was painful to view that aspect of the war it also allowed me to respect the strength everyone had to find joy amongst such pain and reality
BB: For the American children reading this book today, war is in our news, but it’s a distant thing. But the idea of seeing refugees from war-torn places is very present and visible for a lot of them. What would you both say that you hope child readers take away from THE HOUSE BEFORE FALLING INTO THE SEA?
Hanna: I wish I could say that war is a distant history and something that is far away but that is simply not true. The themes of the book are still very current and a reality for many. This book is a testament to Korea’s painful past which still has its effects on Korea today.

I hope that this book will allow children to learn from history. I hope it brings empathy and open minds. But I also hope this book can be a celebration of perseverance and humanity. A reminder to see beyond tragedies, to not define people to those tragedies, but to remember them for their strength and their ability to find joy in the darkest hours. And ultimately a reminder that anyone can do their part no matter how young or old you are.
Ann: Hopefully, kids will see the similarities in people so we can have more compassion for each other, as well as see the differences which add a beautiful diversity and richness to life. After reading this book, I hope kids feel a sense of agency, feeling empowered to make a difference in big and small ways that they can, whenever and wherever they are. A “small” kindness can actually make a big difference in the life of someone who might need a bit of encouragement.
And everyone has a story. Our families share and are made of stories. Joyful and difficult ones all make us who we are. So I hope children press into this truth, maturing into a deeper understanding of these stories as they get older.
BB: At the back of the book are four “Questions to Consider” which I found interesting. I’ve never really seen something like that at the back of a book before. Whose idea was it to include these questions? Were there some you wanted to include but didn’t make the final cut?

Ann: That would be me. I like good stories. Period. But whenever I read anything to my kids or even by myself, I often ask, “But how does this relate to me?… Perhaps it comes from my journalism background or my curious nature. I want to extend the learning. So of course, I wanted to ask questions that would stimulate more questions. And yes, I had more, (thanks for asking) like: What’s a helpful thing you can do when something feels too difficult or overwhelming? But sticking to the heart of the story seemed best. I self-edited here. Rosie may have agreed to more questions, but I thought asking fewer could spark even more than I could’ve thought of myself!
BB: Hanna, one thing I particularly liked about the book was its endpapers. The front endpapers show Busan in the past, and the back endpapers show Busan today. How did you come up with the idea to bookend Ann’s story with these visuals?
Hanna: Ah, I am so happy you noticed! I recently have been having fun with endpapers and jacket covers, it adds that extra layer to the total experience of a story. While growing up in Korea I heard from my grandparent’s generation the phrase “The miracle of Han River.” This coined phrase referred to Korea’s miraculous transformation from being the 5th poorest country in the world to the modern powerhouse it is today. While researching more about the Korean War, I couldn’t help recalling that phrase while extensively seeing those visual images for the first time. The past looked so different in comparison to the idea and imagery of Korea that I know of today. With this revelation, I wanted to take up to challenge to recreate that juxtaposition between Korea’s past and its modern day for the readers. My hope was the endpapers become a prologue and the epilogue for the readers without getting in the way of the story.


BB: At the end of the book it says that “part of the proceeds of this book will go to non-profit organizations who help house families, like samaritan’s purse.” Could you tell us a little bit more about why some of the profits are going there, and what they can do?
Ann: The Samaritan’s Purse cares for hurting people around the world in various ways. And actually, it just occurred to me, as my husband pointed out, that “The Good Samaritan” is also a story in the Bible, prompted by a question, “Who is your neighbor?” It’s about showing kindness to others (regardless of race or religion), a theme in this book!
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They provide food, water, aid and shelter to refugees everywhere. And they do creative things like providing shoebox-sized gifts during the Christmas season to kids in need of basic goods. They allow volunteers to put their own boxes together, including small toys as well as school supplies and more. Thousands of these stuffed boxes go to kids in many countries. They have been caring for their neighbors since 1970. I wanted to make sure worthy groups like this received support from a story with the same heart.
BB: Finally, what are you two working on next?
Hanna: I am working on writing and illustrating again with another picture book! I am slowly chugging through that. Right now I am immediately working on Tea is Love written by Adib Khorram. Which is honestly a blast because I get to illustrate another topic that I love haha. Keep a look out for it in Fall 2025.
Ann: My next picture book is about Korean viewing stones and the relationship between a child and their grandfather. It’s another family story about love and loss, healing and hope. I’m also editing my middle grade novel about K-pop and a family restaurant in K-town. This is a fun one!
That was awesome. I really want to thank Hanna and Ann for answering my questions so thoroughly today. And big thanks to Kaitlin Kneafsey at Penguin Young Readers who, as far as I can determine, did a great deal of work formatting my questions and Hanna and Ann’s answers into the interview you see here today. I am grateful!
The House Before Falling Into the Sea is on bookstore and library shelves now, so go on out and find yourself a copy today.
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About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
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Can’t wait to read this!
Hi Betsy
(First, don’t you just love when someone starts with “You should write about…” Be forewarned).
Devoted fan here.
Have you or will you ever do a piece on close examination of the authority of the authors writing all the nonfiction sets for the big nonfiction companies? (Enslow, Gareth Stevens, Rosen, Lerner, Crabtree, etc.). For most, their credentials are IMPOSSIBLE to find.
Just wondering,
Christie Kaaland, Antioch
Hmmm. That’s an excellent excellent question. It would require (drumroll please) RESEARCH! So if I were to do a piece on that, I’d probably want to make it a legitimate article with SLJ proper.
As it happens, I actually do freelance for McGraw-Hill, vetting their children’s literature selections. They do have some in-house stuff, but the bulk that I see are by actual, fantastic writers. Just today I read a bunch of potential poem inclusions from Pat Mora, Shel Silverstein, Francisco X. Alarcon, and more. So not everyone is uncredited. But I do wonder about the in-house folks, it’s true.
Thanks for the idea!