The Royal Bee

Based on a true story, The Royal Beeis an elegantly written tale that pays tribute to a young boy's courage and strength of character. Song-ho is a young Korean boy destined by birth to a life of poverty. Barred from going to school--only the sons of wealthy families could attend--he dreams of learning to read and write. Then one day he hears the sound of a school bell and follows it deep into the valley. There, the school master turns him away, but Song-ho's boldness and determination earn him a chance at gaining an education nevertheless. Dramatically illustrated with richly textured oil paintings, the story offers glimpses of daily life in Korea a century ago--for both the rich and the poor.

Frances Park and Ginger Park are sisters who also co-authored My Freedom Trip. They both live in the Washington, D.C. area.

Christopher Zhong-Yuan Zhang is the illustrator of Moon Festival by Ching Yeung Russell. He divides his time between his native China and New London, Connecticut.