Ready Readers

Full STEAM Ahead

By Sheila Oliveri

As many children begin the school year learning from home, Ready Readers suggests using a children’s book (or two) to teach STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art and math – concepts.

Writer/illustrator Divya Srinivasan offers paired books filled with learning possibilities in Little Owl’s Night and Little Owl’s Day. Although each stands on its own, when paired, they offer a chance to discover and compare nocturnal and diurnal life in a forest.

Little Owl’s Night introduces the woodland habitat as Owl and his nocturnal companions scurry about their business: working, playing, hunting and eating by the light of the moon and stars. Owl glides hopefully past his neighbor Bear but is disappointed to see him asleep, as always.

In Little Owl’s Day, Owl is awakened by a noisy squirrel. He opens his eyes to an unusually bright scene, marveling, “Too bright to be Moon, this must be … Sun!” Owl tours a landscape he hardly recognizes: the ground covered in flowers, dragonflies and butterflies dancing in the air, and wolf cubs at play in the meadow. Soaring overhead, Owl is delighted to spy Bear! “You’re always asleep when I want to show you the moon!” says Owl. Bear replies, “You’re always asleep when I want to show you the rainbow!” Bear then leads Owl to the waterfall to view a spectacular spectrum of colors arched across the light sky.

More than 20 different animals and their waking/sleeping activities are juxtaposed between the stories. Numerous STEAM activities involving colors, shapes and numbers, noting similarities and differences, and creating art might be inspired by the tandem narratives. Further, parents can empower their children to learn more by searching the internet for photos of woodland life. ln

Ready Readers knows that Kids Who Read Succeed! Please join our efforts to share books and creative learning opportunities with our community’s most vulnerable preschoolers. Visit our website, readyreaders.org.

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KIMCHI GUYS

By Mabel Suen

In the Laclede’s Landing historic district of downtown St. Louis, fast-casual eatery Kimchi Guys dishes Korean fare for pickup via online ordering through its website.

The eatery, which debuted last year, features Korean fried chicken, bibimbap bowls, Korean barbecue bowls, Korean-Mexican fare, sandwiches and, of course, kimchi.

Kimchi Guys comes from Munsok So, who serves as president and CEO of So Hospitality Group, the St. Louis company that owns and operates local Japanese/sushi standby Drunken Fish, as well as the event space/catering company 612North. Since 2006, So also has owned the newly renovated Cutlery Building, whose first floor Kimchi Guys occupies.

“Being Korean American, I have a lot of love for Korean food and wanted to bring a modern menu that I thought would make sense in the marketplace to the area,” So says. “In Korea, there’s Korean fried chicken on every corner.” He continues by declaring Kimchi Guys “the first Korean fried chicken place in St. Louis.”

The menu begins with the house signature Korean fried chicken, which first undergoes brining to tenderize and flavor the meat before it’s coated in a potato starch-based batter. The restaurant then double-fries the chicken at two different temperatures, which produces an extracrispy outer layer.

The chicken comes as three-piece dark meat, tenders, wings and half or full birds, served with a given diner’s choice of sauce: spicy original (a sweet-and-spicy offering made with Korean chiles), Korean Buffalo, garlic soy or honey butter.

Other menu items include Korean barbecue tacos, Korean fried chicken tacos, burritos, quesadillas and loaded nachos. That last dish comes with Korean barbecue spicy chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, street corn, kimchi, cilantro mayo, kimchi salsa, green onions and sesame seeds.

Also available are Korean bowls, such as a bibimbap bowl with the diner’s choice of protein, like beef bulgogi with sautéed mixed veggies, Kona Grill sauce, green onions, sesame seeds and a fried

egg. The menu also offers vegan items with spicy, marinated plant-based protein.

Side options include waffle fries, kimchi fried rice, honey butter corn and a variety of kimchi: spicy cabbage, spicy cucumber and white radish. Drink options include Hite Korean beer and various flavors (peach and grape, for example) of the clear, colorless distilled Korean beverage soju.

“I’m very excited about bringing a unique dining experience to the St. Louis market and adding to the culinary diversity that is constantly improving here,” So says. ln

Kimchi Guys, 612 N. Second St., St. Louis, 314-766-4456, kimchiguys.com