Korean Children's Favorite Stories - (Favorite Children's Stories) by So-Un (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This multicultural Korean children's book presents Korean fairy tales and other folk stories-providing insight into a vibrant literary culture. This is a captivating collection of Korean folktales for children which are still being told, just as they have been for generations. Some are Korean-specific, while others echo those told in other countries. Written with wit and pathos, they unveil the inevitable foibles of people everywhere and expose the human-like qualities of animals and the animal-like qualities of humans. These Korean fables pulsate with the rhythm of life and the seasons, transporting the reader to a wonderland where ants talk, a baby rabbit outwits a tiger, a tree fathers a child, and a toad saves a whole village."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

This colorfully illustrated multicultural Korean children's book presents Korean fairy tales and other folk stories--providing insight into a vibrant literary culture.

Korean Children's Favorite Stories is a captivating collection of Korean folktales for children which are still being told, just as they have been for generations. Some are Korean-specific, while others echo those told in other countries. Written with wit and pathos, they unveil the inevitable foibles of people everywhere and expose the human-like qualities of animals and the animal-like qualities of humans.

These Korean fables pulsate with the rhythm of life and the seasons, transporting the reader to a wonderland where ants talk, a baby rabbit outwits a tiger, a tree fathers a child, and a toad saves a whole village.

Korean stories include:

• The Grateful Tiger: the story of a magical tiger, which demonstrates how empathy and kindness can affect your life in a positive way
• The Disowned Student: an intriguing tale of of a stolen identity and spirit
• The Pheasant, the Dove and the Magpie: the story of three ungrateful birds, one tough mouse, and why pheasants' cheeks are red
• And more...

Review Quotes

"Thirteen Korean folk tales are compiled in this collection of stories for children. Use them for bedtime stories; they are perfect read-alouds." --Pragmatic Mom blog

"This book is full of traditional folktales from Korea. It always amazes me how folktales can give you an idea about the culture of a country. The stories include the animals and a bit about life in the country as well as some of the fantasies and legends." --Crafty Moms Share

"This collection of 13 Korean folktales was originally published in 1955 as The Story Bag. Kyoung-Sim's new watercolor illustrations, filled with animals, demons, and resourceful folk, make this edition much more attractive, and the short, straightforward retellings are well suited for independent reading as well as for reading aloud." --Booklist

"This collection succeeds in making these little-known offerings accessible to a new audience." --School Library Journal

"This book would be a wonderful addition to a family's library and a fun way to share Korean culture with your children." --The Korean Way blog

About the Author

Kim So-Un was an eminent Korean storyteller and a specialist in Korean poetry and folklore. A former journalist for a major newspaper and chief editor of the Korean Children's Educational Institute, he published some two dozen books during his lifetime, including anthologies of poetry, folktales, folklore, folk songs and critical essays.

Artist:
Jeong Kyoung-Sim is a graduate of the College of Fine Arts at Seoul National University. She has illustrated five books for children and three for adults. In her work, she uses traditional colors and painting methods to express a sense of Korean aesthetics.