2025 | Children's Publishing
| New Talent
- pronoun
She - Why did you create this work?
"When Autumn Comes" is a fictionalized story based on my emotions and thoughts after my mother's sudden passing. Grief brings a whirlwind of emotions—sorrow, longing, guilt, and even anger—ebbing and flowing like the changing seasons. By intertwining autumn, the season of farewell, with loss, I hope to offer readers comfort and a path to healing. The book’s physical design also mirrors this journey, with varying paper weights evoking falling leaves and emotional transformation. - How were your illustrations used?
This picture book is my debut work as both an author and illustrator, independently published with support from a youth grant in South Korea. I was deeply involved in every stage—from writing and illustrating to designing the book’s materiality—ensuring that the visuals and physical form enhance the story’s emotional depth. Moving forward, I aspire to create more picture books and stories. - What materials and techniques did you use?
I used mixed media, including oil, water-soluble graphite, oil pastels, crayons, colored pencils, and etching ink(monotype), paper-cut—choosing materials spontaneously, like the ever-changing autumn to enhance the seasonal transitions, making autumn’s shifts visually tangible. - Was this project commissioned?
Un-commissioned / Self-initiated - Personal Website or Portfolio Link
bonuibam.com
- Instagram
@bonuibone - Biography
Bonui Kim is a picture book author and illustrator based in South Korea. She studied at SI Picturebook and independently published her debut book with support from a youth grant. Her work explores emotions, nature, and healing through mixed media, including oil, pastels, monotype and collage. Passionate about book design, she connects materiality with narrative themes. She is building her brand, Bonuibam Books, to continue creating stories about life, death, love, and resilience. - Where are you currently based?
South Korea
