Kim So-Un

Jeong Kyoung-Sim

This colorfully illustrated multicultural Korean children's book presents Indian 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 Story Bag The Pheasant, the Dove, and the Magpie The Bridegroom's Shopping The Bad Tiger The Great Flood The Pumpkin Seeds The Grateful Tiger The Three Princesses And more… The Children's Favorite Stories series was created to share the folktales and legends most beloved by children in the East with young readers of all backgrounds in the West. Other multicultural children's books in this series include: Asian Children's Favorite Stories, Indian Children's Favorite Stories, Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories, Japanese Children's Favorite Stories, Singapore Children's Favorite Stories, Filipino Favorite Children's Stories, Favorite Children's Stories from China & Tibet, Chinese Children's Favorite Stories, Balinese Children's Favorite Stories, and Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories.

Korean Children's Favorite Stories

Frances Carpenter

Setsu Higashi

Fifty-five delightful tales offering fascinating windows into the Korean psyche. Told with wit and pathos, this lively collection of Korean fables features the ever-iconic tiger, the humble woodcutter, clueless brides, clever talking rabbits, mischievous mice and other engaging characters in situations where folly, wisdom, greed, love, reward and retribution are all found in equal measure. Fantasy and reality merge in a world where supernatural occurrences are commonplace. A blind man can suddenly see evil spirits. A spoiled child is taught a lesson by a sassy mouse. A menagerie of creatures — too clever for their own good — possess the same foibles as humans. Amongst the many stories and characters you will meet: The Tiger and the Rabbit — In which a baby rabbit outsmarts a greedy, foolish tiger A Korean Cinderella Tale — Where a magical a creature or two help an oppressed but virtuous girl to win in the end The Magic Hood — About how magic, if used for ill purposes, can lead to big trouble Rice from a Cat's Fur — In which a devoted cat keeps a family from going hungry and brings them prosperity And forty other enchanting tales! This collection is unparalleled in its scope and is the perfect introduction to Korea's rich storytelling tradition — containing classic legends and fables that will delight young and old alike!

Classic Stories from Korea's Enchanted Past

Korean Folktales

This collection of Korean folk tales is sure to delight the hearts of all children between the ages of eight and eighty. Written with earthy wit and pathos, these Korea children's tales unveil the inevitable foibles of people everywhere and expose the human-like qualities of animals and the animal-like qualities of humans. Pulsating with the rhythm of life and the seasons, these stories transport the reader to a wonderland, where a tiny mouse teaches filial piety to a spoiled child, a blind man can "see" evil spirits, and fleas drink rice wine. It is somehow deeply reassuring to know that even in present-day war-ravaged and politically-divided Korea, these same stories are still being told, just as they have been for generations.

The Story Bag

Beautifully illustrated with watercolor paintings, The Magic Gem is a much-loved Korean folk tale that tells the story of why cats and dogs don't get along. A poor fisherman wins a fabulous magic gem that grants his every wish before it's lost to a conniving neighbor. His cat and dog manage to recover the gem, but on the way home the dog loses it in the river. The clever cat gets it back and becomes the favored house pet, while the jealous dog gets nothing, which is why dogs and cats don't get along. This multicultural children's story is written by the same author and illustrator as the bestselling Korean Children's Favorite Stories—Kim So-un and jeong Kyoung-Sim. It will be sure to delight both children and their parents and is of particular interest to families of Korean or mixed heritage.

A Korean Folktale About Why Cats and Dogs Do Not Get Along

Magic Gem

The Tigers of Kumgang Mountain is based on a well-known Korean folktale. Long ago, an enormous white tiger lived in the Kumgang Mountains and tormented the nearby village for years, coming down to prey not only on horses and cattle, but on the people who lived there. The finest hunter in the land ventured into the Kumgang Mountains to shoot the white tiger and save the village. He never returned. His son spends years of his life training to become a great hunter and to avenge his father's death. In this exciting adventure, the young man has to endure sacrifice and complete impossible challenges, including escaping from the belly of the tiger, before learning a valuable lesson.

A Korean Folktale

Tigers of the Kumgang Mountains

This multicultural children's book presents a selection of traditional Korean folk tales that are instantly recognizable to Koreans of all ages. These treasured tales are retold by Kim So-un, an eminent storyteller who is a household name in Korea. The illustrations combine modern and traditional Korean art elements and techniques in telling these classic stories. In the Tuttle tradition of bringing beloved stories from other countries to new generations of readers, this book presents the following tales: "The Magic Gem" answers the question why do dogs and cats fight? When the house feline recovers the story's prized title jewel, the family dog bears a grudge that is passed down through the ages. "The Deer and the Woodcutter" follows a merciful man who saves a deer's life and is rewarded with love and luck. When he's turned into a rooster, he expresses his joy each dawn through his loud crowing. "The Tigers of the Kumgang Mountains" concludes the anthology with a cautionary tale about overcoming challenges. A hunter's son sets out for revenge but instead learns that things are not always as they appear, and that persistence and sacrifice hold richer rewards. With Three Korean Fairy Tales, kids and parents alike will learn about Korean culture by experiencing the country's rich storytelling tradition.

Kim So-Un

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