📚 Authentic Korean Books for 2nd Grade Readers

📚 Second Grade Korean Books: Best Korean Books for Kids Reading at a Second Grade Level

Welcome back to Korean at Home!

If you are looking to build a home library or find the perfect books to support your child’s Korean language journey, you are in the right place.

Before we dive into the list, there is something you should know: every single book on this list is a proud domestic Korean creation, written and illustrated entirely by native Korean creators! This means your child won’t just be practicing the language—they will be getting an immersive, authentic look at Korean culture, humor, and everyday life through the eyes of local authors.

✍️ A Quick Note from Me: While I haven’t personally read every single one of these books myself, this list curated by 이신애 (Shinae Lee) comes straight from official Korean school curriculum guides. They are highly recommended by elementary educators, child literacy experts, and Korean parents alike as the gold standard for this reading stage!

Today, we are looking at a book recommendation list that perfectly aligns with a 2nd-grade reading level in Korea. These books are frequently used in elementary school curriculums or highly recommended by educators to help kids build vocabulary, improve reading comprehension, and develop a genuine love for Korean literature.

💡 Are these books chapter books?

If your child is reading at a second-grade level, you might be wondering about the format. The vast majority of the 2nd grade Korean books on this list are picture books (그림책) or highly illustrated shorter storybooks. At this developmental stage, the focus in South Korea is primarily on helping children transition smoothly from picture books to heavier text.

You can think of the books below as falling into two main categories:

• Standard Picture Books: Titles like The Bathhouse Fairy (장수탕 선녀님) or Big-handed Grandmother’s Mandu Making (손 큰 할머니의 만두 만들기) are fully illustrated, large-format picture books where the gorgeous art drives the story.
• Early Readers / “Bridge Books” (초기 읽기책): Books found under our Short-Form Storybooks and Creative Korean Literature sections—such as The Visitor to an Empty House (빈 집에 온 손님) or The Wizard Kindergarten Teacher (마법사 유치원 선생님)—act as the Korean equivalent of early chapter books. They feature shorter blocks of text and a cohesive plot designed specifically for kids who are beginning to read independently. They are exactly what children read right before they make the leap into full-length, thick chapter books!

Here is your ultimate reference guide to second grade Korean books, complete with the original Korean titles and their English translations!

🎨 Must-Read Picture Books (그림책)

These beautifully illustrated stories are perfect for building reading confidence, exploring emotional themes, and enjoying bedtime stories together.

• 손 큰 할머니의 만두 만들기 (Big-handed Grandmother’s Mandu Making) — 채인선 (Chae In-seon)
• 똥벼락 (The Dung Thunderclap) — 김희경 (Kim Hee-gyeong)
• 세상에서 제일 힘센 수탉 (The Strongest Rooster in the World) — 이호백 (Lee Ho-baek)
• 만희네 집 (Manhi’s House) — 권유덕 (Kwon Yoo-duck)
• 개구리네 한솥밥 (The Frog’s Shared Meal) — 백석 (Baek Seok)
• 내 동생 싸게 팔아요 (Selling My Little Sibling for Cheap) — 임정자 (Im Jeong-ja)
• 아빠와 아들 (Father and Son) — 고대영 (Ko Dae-young)
• 눈물 바다 (Sea of Tears) — 서현 (Seo Hyun)
• 달 샤베트 (Moon Sherbet) — 백희나 (Baek Hee-na)
• 으악, 도깨비다! (Yikes, a Goblin!) — 손정원 (Son Jeong-won)
• 울보 떼쟁이 못난이 (The Crybaby, Whiner, and Ugly Duckling) — 김향이 (Kim Hyang-i)
• 엄마가 화났다 (Mom is Angry) — 최숙희 (Choi Sook-hee)
• 마법에 걸린 병 (The Enchanted Bottle) — 고경숙 (Ko Gyeong-suk)
• 세 엄마 이야기 (The Story of Three Mothers) — 신혜원 (Shin Hye-won)
• 아빠는 1등만 했대요 (Dad Says He Only Placed 1st) — 노경실 (No Kyung-sil)
• 어처구니 이야기 (The Story of Eocheoguni) — 박연철 (Park Yeon-cheol)
• 감기 걸린 날 (The Day I Caught a Cold) — 김동수 (Kim Dong-su)
• 송이는 일 학년 (Song-i is a First Grader) — 강영숙 (Kang Yeong-suk)
• 우리 가족입니다 (This is Our Family) — 이혜란 (Lee Hye-ran)
• 거짓말 같은 이야기 (A Story Like a Lie) — 강경수 (Kang Gyeong-su)
• 엄마 까투리 (Mother Pheasant) — 권정생 (Kwon Jeong-saeng)
• 토끼와 늑대와 호랑이와 담이와 (The Rabbit, Wolf, Tiger, and Dami) — 채인선 (Chae In-seon)
• 왕치와 소새와 개미 (Wangchi, Sosae, and the Ant) — 채만식 (Chae Man-sik)
• 치카치카 군단과 충치 왕국 (The Chika-Chika Army & Cavity Kingdom) — 이진경 (Lee Jin-gyeong)
• 초코파이 자전거 (The Chocopie Bicycle) — 신현림 (Shin Hyun-lim)
• 토끼 탈출 (Rabbit’s Escape) — 이호백 (Lee Ho-baek)
• 과자 마녀를 조심해! (Beware of the Snack Witch!) — 정희재 (Jeong Hui-jae)
• 까치와 소담이의 수수께끼 놀이 (Magpie and Sodam’s Riddle Game) — 김성은 (Kim Seong-eun)

🇰🇷 Creative Korean Literature & Short Stories (국내 창작)

These contemporary Korean stories focus on daily life, family dynamics, school adventures, and imaginative tales that 2nd graders highly relate to.

• 쌀밥 보리밥 (White Rice, Barley Rice) — 강무지 (Kang Mu-ji)
• 동강의 아이들 (Children of the Dong River) — 김재홍 (Kim Jae-hong)
• 도서관 아이 (The Library Child) — 채인선 (Chae In-seon)
• 딸은 좋다 (Daughters are Great) — 채인선 (Chae In-seon)
• 장화 쓴 공주님 (The Princess Who Wore Rainboots) — 심미아 (Sim Mi-ah)
• 세상에서 가장 맛있는 짜장면 (The Most Delicious Jajangmyeon in the World) — 이철환 (Lee Cheol-hwan)
• 도둑을 잡아라! (Catch the Thief!) — 박정섭 (Park Jeong-seop)
• 지옥탕 (The Bathhouse of Hell) — 손지희 (Son Ji-hui)
• 빨간 줄무늬 바지 (Red Striped Pants) — 채인선 (Chae In-seon)
• 백만 년 동안 절대 말 안 해 (I’m Never Speaking to You for a Million Years) — 허은미 (Heo Eun-mi)
• 행복한 우리 가족 (Our Happy Family) — 한성옥 (Han Seong-ok)
• 검은색만 칠하는 아이 (The Child Who Only Paints Black) — 김현태 (Kim Hyun-tae)
• 치과에 사는 괴물 (The Monster That Lives at the Dentist) — 김성은 (Kim Seong-eun)
• 야구공 (The Baseball) — 김정선 (Kim Jeong-seon)
• 옛날에는 돼지들이 아주 똑똑했어요 (A Long Time Ago, Pigs Were Very Smart) — 이민희 (Lee Min-hui)
• 색깔을 훔치는 마녀 (The Witch Who Steals Colors) — 이문영 (Lee Moon-young)
• 케이크 파티 (Cake Party) — 이진경 (Lee Jin-gyeong)
• 내가 엄마고 엄마가 나라면 (If I Were Mom and Mom Were Me) — 이민경 (Lee Min-gyeong)
• 학교 가는 날 (The Day of Going to School) — 송언 (Song Eon)
• 김밥은 왜 김밥이 되었을까? (Why Did Kimbap Become Kimbap?) — 채인선 (Chae In-seon)
• 우리 엄마가 좋은 10가지 이유 (10 Reasons Why I Love My Mom) — 최재숙 (Choi Jae-suk)
• 진정한 일곱 살 (A True Seven-Year-Old) — 허은미 (Heo Eun-mi)
• 어제 저녁 (Yesterday Evening) — 백희나 (Baek Hee-na)
• 삐악이 엄마 (Chick’s Mom) — 백희나 (Baek Hee-na)
• 마법에 빠진 말썽꾸러기 (The Troublemaker Who Fell into Magic) — 이재원 (Lee Jae-won)
• 송이의 노란우산 (Song-i’s Yellow Umbrella) — 이철환 (Lee Cheol-hwan)
• 할아버지의 안경 (Grandfather’s Glasses) — 김성은 (Kim Seong-eun)
• 소리괴물 (The Sound Monster) — 위정현 (Wi Jeong-hyeon)
• 아빠랑 캠핑 가자! (Let’s Go Camping with Dad!) — 한태희 (Han Tae-hui)
• 원숭이 오누이 (The Monkey Siblings) — 채인선 (Chae In-seon)
• 가을 운동회 (The Autumn Sports Day) — 임광희 (Im Gwang-hui)
• 내가 기르던 떡붕어 (The Crucian Carp I Raised) — 소윤경 (So Yun-gyeong)
• 아빠는 나쁜 녀석이야! (Dad is a Bad Guy!) — 백승권 (Baek Seung-gwon)
• 으악! 늦었다! (Yikes! I’m Late!) — 고여주 (Ko Yeo-ju)
• 방귀 똥꼬 박사 아니야! (I am Not Doctor Fart-Bottom!) — 박정애 (Park Jeong-ae)
• 안녕, 병아리 (Goodbye, Chick) — 한해숙 (Han Hae-suk)
• 애국가를 부르는 진돗개 (The Jindo Dog That Sings the National Anthem) — 박상률 (Park Sang-ryul)
• 글자 없는 그림책 1~3 (Wordless Picture Books 1–3) — 이은홍 (Lee Eun-hong)

📖 Popular Storybooks & Fairy Tales

Great for transitioning into slightly longer, text-focused reading sessions.

• 마법사 유치원 선생님 — 고정욱 (Ko Jeong-uk)
• 장수탕 선녀님 — 백희나 (Baek Hee-na)
• 오른쪽이와 동네 한 바퀴 — 백미숙 (Baek Mi-suk)
• 청소부 토끼 — 한호진 (Han Ho-jin)
• 노래하지 않는 피아노 — 정명화 (Jeong Myeong-hwa)
• 동갑내기 울 엄마 — 임사라 (Im Sa-ra)
• 쳇! 어떻게 알았지? — 심미아 (Sim Mi-ah)
• 얼레꼴레 결혼한대요 — 안도현 (Ahn Do-hyun)
• 아빠가 달라졌어요 — 김미나 (Kim Mi-na)
• 내 꼬리 — 조수경 (Jo Su-gyeong)
• 뽕가맨 : 마음을 지켜라! — 윤지회 (Yoon Ji-hoe)
• 기찬 딸 — 김진완 (Kim Jin-wan)
• 난 외계인이야! — 김진완 (Kim Jin-wan)
• 와, 개똥참외다! — 김시영 (Kim Si-yeong)
• 빈 집에 온 손님 — 황선미 (Hwang Seon-mi)

📦 Famous Book Series to Collect

If your child loves a specific set of characters, collecting an entire series is a fantastic way to keep them reading.

• 지원이와 병관이 시리즈 (Ji-won and Byeong-gwan Series) — 고대영 (Ko Dae-young)
  • Includes: 용돈 주세요 (Pocket Money Please), 손톱 깨물기 (Nail Biting), 지하철을 타고서 (Riding the Subway), 거짓말 (Telling Lies), 두발자전거 배우기 (Learning to Ride a Two-Wheeled Bike), 집 안 치우기 (Cleaning the House), 먹는 이야기 (Eating Stories), 칭찬 먹으러 가요 (Going to Eat Compliments)
• 상상의 동물 시리즈 (Imaginary Animals Series) — 정하섭 외 (Jeong Ha-seop et al.)
  • Includes: 해치와 괴물 형제 (Haechi and the Monster Brothers), 쇠를 먹는 불가사리 (The Iron-Eating Bulgari), 청룡과 흑룡 (Blue Dragon and Black Dragon), 태양을 살린 피닉스 (The Phoenix That Saved the Sun), 영원한 황금 지킴이 그리핀 (The Eternal Golden Guardian Griffin), 유니콘과 소녀 (The Unicorn and the Girl)
• 도토리 계절 그림책 시리즈 (Dotori Seasonal Picture Book Series) — 윤구병 (Yoon Gu-byung)
  • Includes: 우리 순이 어디 가니 (Where is Our Suni Going?), 심심해서 그랬어 (I Did It Because I Was Bored), 바빠요 바빠 (Busy Busy), 우리끼리 가자 (Let’s Go Together)
• 민들레 그림책 시리즈 (Dandelion Picture Book Series) — 권정생 외 (Kwon Jeong-saeng et al.)
  • Includes: 강아지똥 (Doggy Poop), 황소 아저씨 (Mr. Bull), 오소리네 집 꽃밭 (House of the Crested Wood Partridge’s Flower Garden), 모기와 황소 (The Mosquito and the Bull), 고양이 (The Cat), 바위나리와 아기별 (The Balloon Flower and the Baby Star), 개구리네 한솥밥 (The Frog’s Shared Meal), 아기너구리네 봄맞이 (Baby Raccoon’s Spring Outing), 강아지 (Puppy)
• 우리 작가 그림책 시리즈 (Our Authors Picture Book Series) — 이상 외 (Lee Sang et al.)
  • Includes: 황소와 도깨비 (The Bull and the Goblin), 왕치와 소새와 개미 (Wangchi, Sosae, and the Ant), 은자로 마을 토토 (Toto from Eunja Village)
• 가치만세 시리즈 (Hooray for Values Series) — 고여주 외 (Ko Yeo-ju et al.)
  • Includes: 으악! 늦었다! (Yikes! I’m Late!), 꼴찌라도 괜찮아! (It’s Okay to Be Last!), 왜 나만 따라해! (Why is Everyone Following Me!), 칭찬 받고 싶어! (I Want to Be Praised!), 절대 말하면 안 돼! (Absolutely Do Not Tell!), 저리 가, 귀찮아! (Go Away, I Hate It / You’re Annoying!), 크리스마스 전에 꼭 말해야 해 (You Must Tell Me Before Christmas)
• 우리 시 그림책 시리즈 (Our Poetry Picture Book Series) — 윤석중 외 (Yoon Seok-jung et al.)
  • Includes: 넉 점 반 (Four O’clock and a Half), 선생님 과자 (Teacher’s Snack), 준치가시 (Junchi Thorn), 영이의 비닐우산 (Yeong-i’s Plastic Umbrella), 석수장이 아들 (The Stonecutter’s Son), 내 동생 (My Sibling), 새는 새는 나무 자고 (Birds Sleep in Trees)

🏆 Fan Favorites: Must-Read Recommendations

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the list, don’t worry! Start with these “tried and true” titles that are widely celebrated by Korean parents and educators for their storytelling and cultural impact:

• For pure humor and relatable magic: Pick up 장수탕 선녀님 (The Bathhouse Fairy) by Baek Hee-na. It is arguably one of the most beloved modern Korean picture books for its witty take on a child’s imagination in a traditional Korean setting.
• For heart-warming daily life: The 지원이와 병관이 시리즈 (Ji-won and Byeong-gwan Series) by Ko Dae-young is a staple in Korean households because it perfectly captures the funny, often chaotic reality of sibling dynamics and growing up.
• For a classic emotional journey: 강아지똥 (Doggy Poop) by Kwon Jeong-saeng, found in the Dandelion Series, is a foundational masterpiece of Korean children’s literature that teaches deep lessons about self-worth and nature.
• For a sweet, imaginative bedtime story: 달 샤베트 (Moon Sherbet) by Baek Hee-na is a visual delight that is highly recommended for its whimsical storytelling style.

💡 Korean at Home Pro-Tip:

Don’t feel pressured to buy all of these second grade Korean books at once! Start by picking two or three picture books that match your child’s current interests (like The Bathhouse Fairy for humor or the Ji-won and Byeong-gwan series for everyday life). Reading consistently is the key to mastering Korean at home.

Which book on this list does your child want to read first? Let us know in the comments below!