“The Ouchiest Words” Picture Book Review
Note: Thank you to Debbie Min for providing a copy to review. All opinions are my own.
When it comes to bullying, some people claim words are harmless. But in reality, words can hurt. As a child, I learned this quickly when I was bullied at school for being Chinese. The bullying took its toll on my self-esteem and acceptance of my heritage. It wasn’t until I was in college that I unlearned the shame the racist bullies made me feel, and I finally embraced who I was.
So when I read The Ouchiest Words, a new picture book by Debbie Min, I could relate to the main character, Nari Choi. In the story, a boy bullies Nari for her Korean name. He also pulls his eyes up into slants to mock her almond-shaped eyes and tells her to go back to her country.
The boy’s words cause Nari to feel sad about her Asian background. She questions if her Asian features are bad. Fortunately, the power of words works both ways. Nari’s mother points out the strong meaning of her Korean name and tells her that her eyes make her special. Her mother adds, “You get to decide what makes you special, no one else.”
When the boy bullies another student, Patty, for her weight, Nari observes that Patty remains calm, resilient, and confident. Through Patty, Nari learns about positive affirmations and ignoring the bully’s words. Nari learns to stand up to her bully and knows she has a right to live in her community because it is for everyone.
This is the type of book I wish I had when I was a child going through similar bullying as Nari. I’m so glad that today my daughter can read an empowering book like The Ouchiest Words. She can realize that differences are okay, it’s important to love herself for who she is, and that she belongs just like everyone else.
Where to Purchase The Ouchiest Words
I recommend The Ouchiest Words for children of all backgrounds as well as for parents and educators seeking multicultural children’s books. This book is ideal for readers aged 4-9 years old. Find the book on Amazon (Paperback and Kindle).
How to Enter The Ouchiest Words Giveaway – 3 Readers Will Win Signed Copies! [CLOSED]
Three lucky readers will win a copy of “The Ouchiest Words” picture book signed by author Debbie Min. Enter via the entry form below. The giveaway is open to readers aged 18+ years old with a U.S. mailing address (no P.O. Boxes). Good luck!
