top of page

The Mysterious Stream

Region: East Asia, Korea

Author: F.B. Smitt

Original Language: English, Korean

Translator: Translated by the author

Illustrator: Jessica Liu

Genre: Folktales

Descriptors: babies; fountain of youth; magic; old couples

Age: 4-8 years old

Review 

Based on a Korean folktale, The Mysterious Stream tells the story of a kind old couple in the countryside who wish they had a child. One day while the old man is out gathering firewood, he follows a little songbird to a stream and takes a drink. When he returns home a young man, the couple realizes they have discovered the fountain of youth. Their grumpy neighbor catches on and runs to the stream to drink as well, but greedily drinks too much and is turned into a newborn baby. The couple decides to raise him as their own child and give him lots of love. The Mysterious Stream is a heart-warming tale told in both English and Korean. The digital illustrations by Jessica Liu are colorful and just as charming as the story. Children between the ages of 4 to 8 years old are sure to love this story with universal appeal.  

More About This Book

bottom of page