Cinderella is a tale that is told in many cultures. Check out these two versions set in Korea.
From a life filled with heartache and hardship, comes an unmatched beauty destined for a fairy-tale ending: Pear Blossom, a young Korean girl, leads a happy life with her parents until her mother dies and her father remarries. Her new wicked stepmother and stepsister make Pear Blossom the victim of their cruelty. They give her the nickname Pigling, or little pig, and do everything they can to torture her. But soon, magical creatures come to Pear Blossom’s aid and one day, the girl meets a handsome magistrate. Will Pear Blossom’s luck change for the better? Or is she destined to suffer at her stepfamily’s hands forever?
This masterfully retold version of Cinderella presents real Korean customs and includes dramatic, brightly colored illustrations” (Children’s Literature).
This is an enchanting and magical variant of the favorite fairy tale. Publishers Weekly noted that “the text is especially noteworthy for its instructive but unobtrusive incorporation of Korean words.” Children’s Literature pointed out that “it should be noted that all the illustrations—from those depicting Korean rituals to the smallest clothing details—are the result of the illustrator’s extensive research and passionate interest in Korean culture.”
Like the tree planted to honor her birth, Pear Blossom is beautiful, and the pride of her elderly mother and father. But then her mother dies, and her father remarries. Pear Blossom’s stepmother resents her new daughter’s beauty.
Out of jealousy, she makes Pear Blossom perform impossible chores while her own daughter, Peony, watches idly. But fortunately, Pear Blossom is not alone. With the help of magical creatures—togkabis—she can accomplish each task, and triumph over her stepmother’s cruelty.
