Do you love fairy tale retellings? If so, you will love The Princess and the Grain of Rice written by Tina Cho and illustrated by Honee Jang. It is a fabulous Korean retelling of The Princess and the Pea. The rich illustrations are beautiful, making the book even more of a treasure! I especially loved the cultural details woven throughout the story.

In the story, Jeongsoon was a girl with a heart as gentle as jade. The Joseon kingdom needed a princess, and in that time period, the parents of the prince were responsible to select the girl. The queen had a marvelous plan. She would hold a Princess Challenge. Jeongsoon wanted to win and become a princess so that she could help the hungry children in her village. 

There were three tests. In the Manners Test, she had to bow correctly and drink tea. In the Wisdom Test, she had to answer a difficult question.  Finally, in the Sleep Test, she had to feel a grain of rice under a pile of mattresses. That night, she not only felt the rice, but made friends with a mouse and the Prince himself. In the morning, she was crowned Princess! The final page spread of the tale shows her feeding the children of the kingdom. 

The book also includes some fantastic back matter including an author note, a glossary, and some Real Princess Story Facts. I enjoyed finding out that long ago in Korea, mice and rats were considered wise animals that brought good luck!

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Jeongsoon want to become a princess? (She wanted to help more of the hungry children in her village)
2. What were the three challenges? (Manners Test, Wisdom Test, and the Sleep Test)
3. What did she have to feel under all of the blankets? (a grain of rice)
4. What little animal did she help? (a mouse)
5. Why did the Queen say she chose her? (she had inner beauty, she stayed true to herself, she was wise with a sensitive heart, she makes friends with everyone she meets…even a mouse, and she slept peacefully after she solved problems)
6. What do you think it would be like to be a Princess? (various)
7. If you were a Princess, who would you want to help? (various)
8. Who is a person you could help today? (various)

Extension Activities

• Act out the story with your child. Bow, sip tea, ask a deep question, and then stack pillows or couch cushions as mattresses. Use a stuffed animal for the mouse friend. 
• Look up a simple craft to do with your child that connects to Korean culture.
• Look up a Korean recipe and make it with your child or go to a Korean restaurant and sample some authentic Korean food.
• Think of a friend that could use your help and help them!
• Go to the library and find more fairy tale retellings to enjoy.

You can purchase the book online here.

About Tina Cho:

Tina Cho is the author of many books for children. After living in South Korea for ten years, Tina, her husband, and two kids reside in Iowa where Tina also teaches kindergarten. You can find out more about her on her website.

Mindy Baker resides in Indiana where she is a high school Spanish teacher. She is the author of Mouse’s Christmas Gift, Zonderkidz 2018, and Soledad and the Curse of the Phoenix, Chicken Scratch Books, 2025. She also has contributions in multiple Guideposts publications. You can connect online with Mindy here. In addition, she offers a free mini-magazine for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of children. You can sign up to receive it here.