The setup happens before the title page of Jungyoon Huh's extraordinary picture book, Late Today. Artist Myungae Lee captures threatening clouds looming over a crowded commute: "MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IS CONGESTED ALL OVER SEOUL," Aerin Park urgently translates. At 8:15 a.m., "we can't be late today" is a common theme. Amid bumper-to-bumper cars, taxis, trucks, and buses, a two-week-old black kitten desperately attempts to stay alive. Many notice her, yet no one has "the courage to save her." One person finally stops, "gripped by fear... because they [can't] see the kitten anymore." Ignoring the honking protestations and pouring rain, the driver follows the "mew mew," to rescue the "quivering" bundle. Now, everybody is late. "But it's okay. Today was a good day to be late." Huh's exquisite story of simple kindness plainly exposes the hypocrisy of false concern. Meanwhile, Lee's heartening illustration of the tiny, helpless bundle finally safe in two comparatively behemoth hands provides a hopeful, restorative image of caring humanity. --Terry Hong