In Minh and the Magic Grains of Rice, author Đỗ Nguyệt Hà and illustrator Lê Ph ươ ng Quỳnh deliver a rehash of a traditional Vietnamese folktale about the origins of growing rice with a cute twist. Translated into English by Bac H. Tran, this picture book helps young readers to appreciate the hard work that goes into the food that we eat and encourages those picky eaters out there to be grateful.
The story begins with Minh who is your stereotypical boy—a picky eater with a disdain for dinner time. At dinner time, Minh threw a tantrum, knocking over a bowl of rice his father was holding onto the floor outside. As he goes to clean up the mess, he overhears three talking grains of rice disappear through a hedge. Minh chases after them—and as he crawls through the hedge, he is transported to a new land where the three grains were created.
In this new distant world, Minh learns about Pearly Grain, a magical being who once filled the bowls of hungry villagers every day. But as time passed, these villagers mistreated their homes and started to waste their food. As a response, the Creator decided to teach them all a lesson about being grateful for what they had, splitting Pearly Grain into thousands of small ones for them to grow themselves.
After watching this unfold, the three grains take Minh along a journey through the rice patties that covered the land. He experiences firsthand how painstaking the process of growing rice is, from sowing, to planting, to harvesting, with each step taking great amounts of care and effort. We see how the Farmers fight off ever‑changing conditions so that they can enjoy their bowls of rice with the food they eat. Minh’s mindset towards rice begins to change along with the seasons. He comes to understand the importance of appreciating his food, and not being picky: a lesson many kids should learn.
The illustrations by Lê are standouts, and she beautifully depicts the multi‑step process of growing rice. I enjoyed seeing how she plays with different color palettes and intricate details to bring each scene to life. The visuals not only enhance the story but also help readers grasp just how much work goes into rice farming.
Overall, Đỗ and Lê with Minh and the Magic Grains of Rice do a wonderful job of rehashing an old tale for a modern day. This story was adorable and helped change my own perspectives on something as simple as a bowl of rice. I loved the inclusion of Vietnamese folklore and the lyrics to the traditional lullaby; they added a thoughtful layer of authenticity to the story. This book is a wonderful read for young readers, to remind them to be gracious for the food they eat, the generations before, and their traditions.
