Yeongam County Publishes Doseon Guksa Picture Book "Hands That Caress the Forest"

Explaining the Philosophy of Coexistence and Mutual Prosperity
Through the Eyes of Children

Cover of the book "Hands That Caress the Forest." Provided by Yeongam County

Yeongam County in South Jeolla Province has published a picture book titled "Hands That Caress the Forest," which captures the life and philosophy of coexistence and mutual prosperity of Doseon Guksa, a renowned local historical figure.

On January 3, the county announced the release of a picture book that offers a modern reinterpretation of Doseon Guksa's ideas and spiritual heritage. Through this initiative, Yeongam County aims to expand cultural content that promotes the region's history and culture.

This book is the seventh installment in the Yeongam Old Stories Picture Book Series, which reimagines local legends and historical figures as picture books. The text was written by author Kim Jin, known for "Find King Sejong," a book included in elementary school textbooks, while the illustrations were created by Oh Chigeun, widely recognized for works such as "Haechi and the Squid" and "Geombok."

The picture book explores the life and philosophy of Doseon Guksa through the symbolic setting of a forest, making it accessible and relatable for all generations, including children. The story follows the protagonist Byeol-i, who meets Grandfather Doseon Guksa, helps heal injured animals, and searches for solutions as the forest and its wildlife begin to disappear.

In particular, the book also includes the locally preserved legend of the "Jangsu Footprints" associated with Doseon Guksa, adding intrigue to the story and deepening readers' understanding of Yeongam's traditional culture.

Woo Seunghee, Mayor of Yeongam County, stated, "The Doseon Guksa picture book is a meaningful achievement that presents Yeongam's spiritual and cultural heritage through the accessible medium of a picture book. I hope it will provide an opportunity for both children and adults to naturally learn and practice Doseon Guksa's philosophy of coexistence and mutual prosperity."

The county has distributed "Hands That Caress the Forest" to local libraries and educational institutions to ensure it is widely accessible. The book is also available for purchase at both online and offline bookstores.