Book Review: Queens & Owls
Title: Queens & Owls: Folk Stories from Around the World
Author: SA Krishnan
Publisher: SA Krishnan
Recommended Ages: 4-8, best for 6-8
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Beautiful Illustrations Meet Expectations Challenge
Based on the title I bought the book expecting more than just the two stories. And enjoyed what I read,
Because this book only included two stories instead of more, I felt misled – though this could have been avoided had the author shown the sub-title as ‘Two Folk Stories from Around the World’ instead of just ‘Folk Stories from Around the World.’ That’s the only reason this book receives 3½ stars; the stories on their own were 5-stars.
Growing up, I always liked children’s books. Now that I’m writing them, I appreciate the well-structured, well-written ones best – especially stories that introduce young readers to diverse cultural traditions, a nice touch. SA Krishnan’s “Queens & Owls” offers two folktales with truly excellent spot illustrations throughout the book.
Let me be clear about what works brilliantly: the illustrations. Throughout both stories, the artwork is thoughtfully placed, well-chosen, and enhances rather than overwhelms the text. The visual storytelling is genuinely the book’s greatest strength. The images and written story work together beautifully, creating an engaging experience for young readers.
The first story, “Ye Xian,” retells the ancient Chinese Cinderella tale from 860 CE. Krishnan adapts this originally darker folktale into a more accessible, contemporary version for young readers. The core narrative follows beautifully, with a magical fish companion rendered especially well. The author has clearly made thoughtful choices about softening the original’s harsher elements for modern children.
I found myself re-reading certain passages to follow the chronology – because the narrative flow occasionally feels re-sequenced compared to the traditional telling. However, this gentler adaptation makes the story approachable for children familiar with Western Cinderella variants while introducing them to its ancient Chinese origins.
The second story, “Crows & Owls,” offers a charming origin tale explaining why crows are black and owls are nocturnal. It’s delightful in its simplicity, with age-appropriate humor and clear cause-and-effect storytelling. At just six pages, it feels brief but complete for what it aims to accomplish.
Here’s where expectations matter: the title “Folk Stories from Around the World” (plural “Stories”) naturally suggests a collection. When I purchased this book, I anticipated multiple tales from various cultures. Instead, it contains two stories – one comprising 86% of the book, the other just 6 pages.
It’s worth repeating that had the subtitle been “Two Folk Stories from Around the World” or something similarly specific, my expectations would have aligned perfectly with the content, and this would easily be a five-star review. The stories themselves are good and entertaining. The illustrations are exceptional. But the packaging doesn’t quite match what’s inside.
For parents and educators: the Ye Xian story’s deeper meanings and cultural layers will likely resonate more strongly with ages 6-8, while younger readers (4-5) can certainly enjoy the surface narrative. The Crows & Owls story works well across the entire 4-8 age range.
Both stories serve as gentle introductions to international folklore, though readers seeking the full cultural context of the original tales may want to supplement with more complete versions. The book demonstrates clear talent for visual storytelling and accessible writing.
A solid introduction to folktales with outstanding illustrations, though readers should know they’re receiving two stories rather than a broader collection.
What Amazon Readers Say
Amazon reviewers consistently praise the engaging stories and note that both are well-written. Readers specifically enjoyed the Chinese Cinderella variation and found the second story about why owls come out at night to be fun and entertaining. The illustrations receive positive feedback, and several reviewers mention these work well as bedtime stories.
Get Your Copy
Buy Queens & Owls on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099KTG84L?tag=booksrevie066-20
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support my book review blog. Thank you for your support!
Recommended for ages 4-8, but best for 6-8, particularly for families seeking gentle introductions to world folklore with beautiful illustrations. Ideal for readers who appreciate well-illustrated picture books and want to introduce children to cultural stories, knowing the collection contains two tales rather than a broader anthology.
