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Three Korean Fairy Tales: Beloved Stories and Legends
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 With Three Korean Fairy Tales , kids and parents alike will learn about Korean culture by experiencing the country's rich storytelling tradition.
In the Tuttle tradition of bringing beloved stories from other countries to new generations of readers, this book presents the following With Three Korean Fairy Tales , kids and parents alike will learn about Korean culture by experiencing the country's rich storytelling tradition.
96 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 3, 2020
This one is a delightful read.
There are three tales in which the first tale explains why cats and dogs fight till today; the second tale talks about a son avenging the death of his father and the third tale weaves the story of a poor woodcutter who gets to marry a wife from the Heaven.
These tales are full of adventure and surprises!
I absolutely adore the art that accompanies each of these tales.
Recommended ☕
There are three tales in which the first tale explains why cats and dogs fight till today; the second tale talks about a son avenging the death of his father and the third tale weaves the story of a poor woodcutter who gets to marry a wife from the Heaven.
These tales are full of adventure and surprises!
I absolutely adore the art that accompanies each of these tales.
Recommended ☕
January 15, 2021
From this book, i know why cat and dog always fight and why the roaster crowing out the time. Really good story for children. First children book i've read in this year
April 3, 2023
The three stories were: The Magic Gem, The Tigers of the Kumgang Mountains, and The Deer and the Woodcutter.
I'd say this collection was 3.5, rounded up to a 4.
I'm not a fan of guns in fairy tales, to me it feels less magical and more modern, even though it looks like rifles/long guns could have been around in the mid to late 1400's.
The Magic Gem felt familiar, I've probably encountered a similar wish granting fish fairy tale and this is Korea's version, but it felt its own in the mentioning of the underwater kingdom.
The Tigers of the Kumgang Mountains was about a father -- and then a son-- with great marksmanship and some tricky tigers.
The Deer and the Woodcutter, was enjoyable, made me think of selkies and other mythological women that need a skin or dress to return to their home.
I'd say this collection was 3.5, rounded up to a 4.
I'm not a fan of guns in fairy tales, to me it feels less magical and more modern, even though it looks like rifles/long guns could have been around in the mid to late 1400's.
The Magic Gem felt familiar, I've probably encountered a similar wish granting fish fairy tale and this is Korea's version, but it felt its own in the mentioning of the underwater kingdom.
The Tigers of the Kumgang Mountains was about a father -- and then a son-- with great marksmanship and some tricky tigers.
The Deer and the Woodcutter, was enjoyable, made me think of selkies and other mythological women that need a skin or dress to return to their home.
January 29, 2021
I was given a copy of Three Korean Fairy Tales, Beloved Stories and Legends
by Kim So-un, illustrated by Jeong Kyoung-Sim, published by Tuttle Publishing
to review for Multicultural Children's Book Day.
Three Korean Fairy Tales is a beautifully designed picture book that, as promised, contains three stories: The Magic Gem, The Tiger and the Kumgang Mountains, and The Deer and the Woodcutter.
Each story within the book is about 30 pages, fully illustrated. There's a good bit of text within, but less text than a chapter book.

The book opens with a chapter on cultural background - Korean folklore. Isn't it powerful to think that a storyteller can pass down a legend, a myth, a belief, a song, a fairy tale from family to family to family over hundreds and thousands of years?
I think it is pure magic.

I love reading specific details of Korean culture - talking tigers, mythical fish, magic gems, Kumgang Mountains, but also the way each story is woven with threads of similarity that can be found in fairy tales around the world -quests to prove oneself, lessons in gratitude, contentment, and courage.
Aside from the fascinating text, the illustrations by Jeong Kyoung-Sim are captivating. The art has this gorgeous tone, color, and texture of old, Korean art, but it also has this freshness about it that feels so lush and new.

And the endpapers. I can't get over the endpapers. Each different. Just stunning.
by Kim So-un, illustrated by Jeong Kyoung-Sim, published by Tuttle Publishing
to review for Multicultural Children's Book Day.
Three Korean Fairy Tales is a beautifully designed picture book that, as promised, contains three stories: The Magic Gem, The Tiger and the Kumgang Mountains, and The Deer and the Woodcutter.
Each story within the book is about 30 pages, fully illustrated. There's a good bit of text within, but less text than a chapter book.

The book opens with a chapter on cultural background - Korean folklore. Isn't it powerful to think that a storyteller can pass down a legend, a myth, a belief, a song, a fairy tale from family to family to family over hundreds and thousands of years?
I think it is pure magic.

I love reading specific details of Korean culture - talking tigers, mythical fish, magic gems, Kumgang Mountains, but also the way each story is woven with threads of similarity that can be found in fairy tales around the world -quests to prove oneself, lessons in gratitude, contentment, and courage.
Aside from the fascinating text, the illustrations by Jeong Kyoung-Sim are captivating. The art has this gorgeous tone, color, and texture of old, Korean art, but it also has this freshness about it that feels so lush and new.

And the endpapers. I can't get over the endpapers. Each different. Just stunning.
June 14, 2023
This book includes three different stories- The Magic Gem, The Tigers of Kumgang Mountain, and The Deer and the Woodcutter. I read these aloud to my first grade class when we were doing our Culture Unit/Fairytale unit. I had never heard any of the stories before, and the students seemed captivated, even with the limited (but beautiful) imagery.
There are many talks of guns, "getting a nice wife", and the classic display of patriarchy- but in stories that have been passed down for generations, these are to be assumed. We had some interesting discussions and overall they really enjoyed the stories (as did I!).
There are many talks of guns, "getting a nice wife", and the classic display of patriarchy- but in stories that have been passed down for generations, these are to be assumed. We had some interesting discussions and overall they really enjoyed the stories (as did I!).
December 28, 2021
I do not often read children's books. This one caught my eye when I was at the library with my younger sister. I loved it! The stories are beautifully illustrated. Each of the three stories gives a thematic explanation to some of the most commonly asked children's questions. My favourite story was the first one titled "The Magic Gem". The story explains why dogs and cats always fight.
July 27, 2023
very similar to Chinese folktale. The illustration is 5 stars!The first story is very cute with dog and cat came to rescue. The other two are just ok.
February 16, 2025
Whimsical, fantastical, wholly enjoyable to read.
April 12, 2025
Woaa.. this story makes me imagine that.
On of that story is similar with fairy tales in my country.
But overall this story can imagine that 😇
On of that story is similar with fairy tales in my country.
But overall this story can imagine that 😇
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews