Minh and the Magic Grains of Rice

"This story was so enchanting and sweet, it felt like my mẹ (mom) was reading to me. Don't worry, Mẹ, I'm eating all my rice." --Thien Pham, Eisner Award-winning creator of Family Style

Read the world to change the world! In this artful picture book, picky eater Minh goes on a fantastical journey through the mythology and agriculture of rice. Originally published in Vietnam by the nonprofit Room to Read, it has been beautifully revised for this global edition.

"I will not eat rice!" is Minh's constant dinnertime refrain. But one fateful night, an unusual event unfolds. A trio of talking grains of rice leads Minh on an otherworldly adventure where he must complete a magic mission before he can return home. Will this fantastical journey help our picky-eating hero finally have a change of heart?

A modern reimagining of a Vietnamese folktale, this enchanting story overflows with delight and wisdom. Follow Minh on a spellbinding trek that beautifully illustrates the age-old process of growing and harvesting rice--and the limitless power of the ancient grain.

CHARITABLE SUPPORT WITH EVERY PURCHASE: Buying this book benefits children in Room to Read's global Literacy Program. Room to Read has supported publishing training and opportunities for international children's book creators since 2003. The Read the World, Change the World partnership with Chronicle Books brings these international voices to English-language readers. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.

CELEBRATION OF FOOD: Rice is the most widely consumed staple food for more than half the world's population. In a long tradition of picture books celebrating a particular food, like Dim Sum for Everyone or Bee-Bim Bop!, this delicious children's book explores facts and folklore about rice.

PERFECT FOR PICKY EATERS: Young readers will journey along with Minh, a picky eater, as he overcomes his pickiness through knowledge and community.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION: Through highly visual backmatter, readers will learn about how rice is grown, harvested, and prepared, as well as some of the mythology surrounding this staple food. Additional information includes an introduction to food scarcity, waste, and the resources used in the labor- and resource-intensive process of growing and distributing rice and other food.

Perfect for:

• Anyone who loves rice in all its many forms!
• Caregivers and educators in search of books for picky eaters
• AAPI audiences and anyone who loves Vietnamese culture, from cuisine to art to mythology
• Eco-conscious readers and anyone interested in sustainability
• Fans of Room to Read, non-profit book initiatives, and global children's literature

Author: Ðo Nguyet Hà
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: 05/20/2025
Pages: 52
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 11.10h x 8.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781797213330
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2025
School Library Journal 03/01/2025 pg. 70
Booklist 05/01/2025 pg. 100

About the Author
Đỗ Nguyệt Hà is a storyteller and author. As a child, she was very picky, like Minh. Her parents had a hard time getting her to eat even a single bowl of rice each day--and she would often secretly throw it away so she could finish her meal more quickly. Hà now realizes that she didn't have a strong connection with food at that time--eating just seemed like a boring task. She hopes that understanding more about food will help readers develop a love for it and feel gratitude at every meal. She currently works in sustainable development and lives in Ha Noi, Vietnam.

Lê Phương Quỳnh is an illustrator known for her vibrant color and style. She especially loves anything related to magic or fairytales and hopes her paintings bring happiness into the world. Quỳnh first cooked rice by herself in third grade when home alone. It turned out so well, she was mad no one was there to taste it! She was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where she still lives.