Each child has their own shining part!
Each child is born with a shining jewel in their heart.
Just as sapphires are beautiful in their own way, diamonds are beautiful in their own way, and rubies are beautiful in their own way, the jewels that children hold each have their own unique beauty.
Whether it is worth it or not is just a worldly yardstick.

However, this jewel is still just a rough stone, and unless someone recognizes it with interest and love and polishes it with praise and encouragement, it may never see the light of day.
Unless you're lucky enough to be born with a gem that fits the world's standards, you'll likely have to go through some tough growing pains before you can truly shine.
The main character of this book, Chicken Mask, is just such a case.
Chicken Mask is a child who has no confidence whatsoever.
It's not like I'm good at studying like my classmate Owl Mask, or as dexterous as Hamster Mask, or as good at wrestling like Longicorn Mask, or as good at singing like Frog Mask, so that's just how it is.

As each of his friends' shining parts came into view, Chicken Mask became more and more intimidated.
My friends have at least one shining part, but I can't seem to find it no matter how hard I look.
Eventually, they even start to have extreme thoughts—though these are common among children—like, "Why was I born this way? How wonderful it would be if I weren't me? Wouldn't it be better if someone like me didn't exist?"


“Don't look sideways at other people's shining parts! Your shining part is inside you.”
Then, an incident occurs that shakes Chicken Mask's heart.
I finally got the chance to try on all the masks I've always envied! With the owl mask on, I can now solve math problems I couldn't solve before.
Singing can't be that much fun when you're wearing a frog mask.
It feels good to be stylish by wearing a sea otter mask.
But when it comes to chicken masks, I can't readily choose any mask.
If it's not a chicken mask, then what kind of mask should it be? It's just more confusing.
I have no choice but to look outside for what I should be looking for inside myself.
For both children and adults, a ‘mask’ is a very attractive object.
I guess that's why we all have a desire to be someone other than ourselves at least once.
Taking this into account, the author tells the story by comparing children's personalities, strengths, and talents to masks.
And this part really shows the desire for transformation within us.
This part is also attractive to children.
If I had the chance to become someone other than myself, like the chicken mask, it made me think about what kind of person I would want to be.
And then, if I could say, “But I still like it!”, I would be incredibly happy.

A magic spell to straighten children's slumped shoulders: "You are the best when you are yourself!"
But what woke up the chicken mask was a voice coming from outside.
“Chicken Mask, don’t be just another mask!” This thin voice praises and encourages Chicken Mask, saying that his bright eyes that recognize the beauty of small flowers and trees that no one else notices, and his affectionate heart that secretly cares for them are shining individuality, strengths, and talents.
I think this kind of praise and encouragement is what our children need.
“You are the best when you are yourself.
“There will be a shining part of you among the many things that make you you.” Just one person who speaks quietly but confidently will enable children to dream of tomorrow again.
This picture book was written and illustrated by an author who has worked as an elementary school teacher and has observed children closely, with a warm heart of encouragement for children who lack confidence and self-esteem.

Author's Note

I am so happy to be able to meet Korean children through this book.
I teach children at an elementary school in Japan.
In the process, I realized that there were many friends who were unable to recognize their own strengths and were suffering from an inferiority complex.
Every time I see my friends losing confidence by constantly comparing themselves to others, my heart also becomes heavy.
In my opinion, those guys definitely have their strengths.
It is a precious advantage that cannot be exchanged for anyone else.
But in the eyes of those friends, it seems that only their own shortcomings stand out.

I believe that everyone has a hundred times more strengths than weaknesses.
From ancient times to the present, there is not a single person who is the same.
Everyone is born because they need something.
Everyone is a protagonist.
The book I published to convey this idea to young children is “Chicken Mask - But I Still Like Myself!”
I hope that Korean children will also be able to discover and encourage their own strengths and those of their friends by reading this book.
I hope you remember that each person has different strengths, and that all of those strengths are valuable.
- February 2008, Miho Utsugi

Curriculum linkage
Kindergarten Curriculum Social Life Personal Life - Thinking Positively About Myself
Group Living - Understanding and Respecting Others
First semester, first year Korean language class - I want to know
1st Grade, 2nd Semester, Korean Language, 2nd Yard - How to Do It/5th Yard - Let's Put Our Arms Together
Good Life 2nd Semester, 1st Year 2. Good Friends
2nd grade, 1st semester, Wise Life 1. Growing Up
Happy Life, 2nd Semester, 2nd Year 7. The World of Dreams
3rd Grade, 1st Semester Korean Language 1. Opening the World Together
Author's Note

I am so happy to be able to meet Korean children through this book.
I teach children at an elementary school in Japan.
In the process, I realized that there were many friends who were unable to recognize their own strengths and were suffering from an inferiority complex.
Every time I see my friends losing confidence by constantly comparing themselves to others, my heart also becomes heavy.
In my opinion, those guys definitely have their strengths.
It is a precious advantage that cannot be exchanged for anyone else.
But in the eyes of those friends, it seems that only their own shortcomings stand out.

I believe that everyone has a hundred times more strengths than weaknesses.
From ancient times to the present, there is not a single person who is the same.
Everyone is born because they need something.
Everyone is a protagonist.
The book I published to convey this idea to young children is “Chicken Mask - But I Still Like Myself!”
I hope that Korean children will also be able to discover and encourage their own strengths and those of their friends by reading this book.
I hope you remember that each person has different strengths, and that all of those strengths are valuable.
- February 2008, Miho Utsugi

Curriculum linkage
Kindergarten Curriculum Social Life Personal Life - Thinking Positively About Myself
Group Living - Understanding and Respecting Others
First semester, first year Korean language class - I want to know
1st Grade, 2nd Semester, Korean Language, 2nd Yard - How to Do It/5th Yard - Let's Put Our Arms Together
Good Life 2nd Semester, 1st Year 2. Good Friends
2nd grade, 1st semester, Wise Life 1. Growing Up
Happy Life, 2nd Semester, 2nd Year 7. The World of Dreams
3rd Grade, 1st Semester Korean Language 1. Opening the World Together