The heartwarming psychological picture book “I’m Okay Like This” (written by Yang Eun-joo & Yang Mi-hyang, illustrated by Kim Min-ju) has been published, perfect for the warm spring days. This book conveys deep empathy and comfort to both children and adults through the story of a kitten’s day, navigating between anxiety and courage.

The protagonist is a kitten who hesitates to answer his mother's call. Coming into the unfamiliar world, trapped in anxiety, the kitten feels fear, with trembling legs and bristled fur. However, through a day of special experiences, he learns to manage his anxiety and see the world from a new perspective. The book repeats the phrase “I’m okay like this,” helping readers develop the ability to affirm and accept themselves.

In particular, this book captivates readers with its harmonious blend of emotional illustrations and text. Kim Min-ju's warm illustrations deepen the emotional delivery of the story, and the messages from Yang Eun-joo and Yang Mi-hyang, psychological counseling experts and poets, offer great comfort to modern people living with anxiety. The two authors delicately unfold the process of naturally accepting and soothing oneself rather than suppressing anxiety.

Another charm of this book is its practical workbook. Through the workbook, readers have the opportunity to calmly look into their inner selves by expressing their anxieties in pictures and words. They learn specific methods to control anxiety, such as taking deep breaths and practicing discarding uncomfortable feelings into an imaginary sea or underground. This serves as a practical guide that can be of real help not only to young readers but also to parents and teachers.

“I’m Okay Like This” goes beyond a simple fairy tale, offering courage and hope to everyone facing life's anxieties. This book, which gives children the power to believe in themselves and adults warm comfort, shows the potential to become a must-read for modern people. For those who want to manage their anxious feelings and grow, this book will be a kind guide.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]