The Princess and the Grain of Rice

A sweet, funny Korean Princess and the Pea retelling, written by critically acclaimed Korean American author Tina Cho. A new classic in the making!

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. Throughout each examination, Jeongsoon is far from flawless but in staying true to herself, wins the favor of the queen and the competition itself.

Includes backmatter on the real-life Korean princesses of the Joseon period.

Author: Tina Cho
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
Published: 02/10/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 11.20h x 9.20w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780374392253
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 02/01/2026
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2025
School Library Journal 11/01/2025 pg. 92
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2025

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 middle grade 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.