The Princess and the Grain of Rice

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.

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Published: 2/10/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Size / Weight: 11.3 in H | 9.5 in W | 0.5 in T | 1.1 lb Wt
ISBN: 9780374392253


About the Author

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. tinamcho.com

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. honeejang.com