National Library of Korea Analyzes Picture Book Trends
Most Borrowed Picture Books in Public Libraries Over the Past Year
"Kkongkkongkkong Camping" Tops List with 20,743 Loans
To mark the "Year of Picture Books 2025," the National Library of Korea under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism surveyed the loan status of 1,540 public libraries over the past year (from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025). The results showed that "Kkongkkongkkong Camping" was the most borrowed picture book, with 20,743 loans.
This book, set against the backdrop of a hot summer, received a great response from readers thanks to its seasonally relevant themes and cheerful storyline.
Following this, "Cherry Blossom Swimming Pool" by Shin Hyunkyung and Noh Yejie, which helps children overcome their fear of water, and "Cat Swimming Class" ranked second (19,790 loans) and third (19,052 loans), respectively.
An analysis of the loan rankings revealed that picture books featuring imaginary protagonists, familiar settings, intuitive illustrations, and storylines that spark curiosity received particularly positive responses.
Over the past year, a total of 980,362 picture books were borrowed, representing a 21.2% increase compared to the same period last year (1,187,783 loans). Notably, loans by adults in their 40s to 60s increased by an average of 26.9%, demonstrating significant growth. "Emotion Hotel" by Lidija Brankovic was found to have a particularly high proportion of adult readers among its borrowers.
Recently, picture books have been expanding into secondary content such as exhibitions, animations, and musicals, diversifying into various genres and media. Among the top 100 most borrowed picture books, 26 had been adapted into secondary content, with musicals accounting for 16 of these cases?a particularly high proportion.
In February, "If You Want to Eat a Red Apple" by Jinju and Gahee won the Opera Prima Grand Prize at the Bologna Ragazzi Awards, raising expectations for the success of K-picture books.
Kim Yoonjung, an official at the National Library of Korea, stated, "Picture books, with their warm illustrations and concise sentences, deliver empathy and messages not only to children but to people of all ages," adding, "We hope that this analysis will help more people discover the charm of picture books."
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