The Princess and the Grain of Rice
$28.30
- Hardcover
40 pages
- Release Date
25 August 2026
Summary
In the mountains of Joseon, Jeongsoon has a heart as gentle as jade, but she might just be the clumsiest girl in the kingdom. She wants to be a princess, so she enters the grand princess challenge where she must complete the Manners Test, the Wisdom Test, and finally—the Sleep Test. Upon laying down on dozens of mattresses, Jeongsoon hears the squeaking of a hungry mouse (who close readers will have spotted hiding in previous spreads) and helps it to the palace kitchens for a midnight snack. Throughout each examination, Jeongsoon is far from flawless but in staying true to herself, wins the favor of the queen and the competition itself. Backmatter includes information about the real-life Korean princesses of the Joseon period, glossary, and author’s note.
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780374392253 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 0374392250 |
| Author: | Tina Cho, Honee Jang |
| Publisher: | Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc |
| Imprint: | Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 40 |
| Release Date: | 25 August 2026 |
| Weight: | 502g |
| Dimensions: | 11mm x 238mm x 286mm |
| Audience Age: | 4 |
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Critics Review
“Jang’s vibrant digital art depicts lush palace grounds, richly colored hanboks, and a royal wedding befitting a princess, all while firmly anchoring the story in Korean history. Young readers will delight in seeing Jeongsoon prevail; her triumph will feel especially poignant for those who share her cultural background.” –Kirkus
“This twist on ‘The Princess and the Pea’ in a historically inspired Korean setting offers a fresh perspective on what makes a fairy-tale princess. [Jeongsoon’s] compassion is as winning as her eventual, well-deserved triumph.” –BCCB
“The artwork features gorgeous details of Korean culture… This charming Korean retelling of a familiar story is refreshingly adapted and will have listeners in story hours clamoring for more.” –School Library Journal
“Jang’s vibrantly intricate and ornate digital illustrations capture palatial splendor… An enchanting retelling.” –Booklist
Tina Cho
Tina Cho is a kindergarten teacher and the author of many books for young readers, including the picture books Rice from Heaven and The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story, which received four starred reviews. She is also the author of the MG graphic novel in verse The Other Side of Tomorrow and the MG nonfiction book Asian American Women in Science.
Honee Jang is a Korean American illustrator and picture book designer based in London. She has illustrated Reach for the Stars by Emily Calandrelli and My Football Family by Andy Holloway.
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