When I first started working at the bookstore, I decided I was going to collect Cinderella stories from around the world. I found so many I had to stop. There were just too many. Then I decided that I would read as many fairy tales as I could and only collect the ones that really hit the spot. And what book hits a spot better than a Princess and the Pea story? Or more accurately The Princess and the Grain of Rice.
However, this time we enter the familiar story with a different type of princess. First, she is Korean and two, she does not start out as a royal or even noble, but someone from a nearby village. But that is mostly where the differences end. We still have the prince looking for a bride, a queen willing to do what it takes to find a true princess, several mattresses and one other difference is the grain of rice instead of a pea and a mouse. 
Author Tina Cho adds historical events mixed with fairy and folktale. They take a familiar tale and add Korean elements to make it a delightful unique read. Along with Honee Jang who created beautifully colored and detailed illustrations, this is a book that should be added to your collections of good books, books with an Asian setting, folk and fairy tales and unique yet familiar reads. It would not be unusual to think about actually framing some of the pages of the book because they are fun, creative and eye-catching. Due in mid February 2026 I read this via an online reader copy.
