A book that instills self-affirmation and confidence in children

“I’m not good at anything…….”
But what the teacher told Sota was a really cool ability that only Sota could do!

While his friends are all good at something, Sota doesn't know what he's good at, so he lacks confidence in everything.
No matter how much he thinks about it, he can't figure out what it is, but the teacher helps him discover and realize the unique strengths that he possesses.
As children, we tend to feel anxious about the unknown future.
So there are many children who lack confidence and cannot find what they are good at.
This picture book carefully shows the process by which a child comes to like himself as he discovers what he is good at.
The final scene, where the excited child runs home with his nose flaring, eloquently conveys the joy to young readers without words.


I am happy to be myself, and self-affirmation, which gives me confidence, also affects my school life, relationships with friends, and motivation to learn.
This is why we need more adults like the teacher in this picture book who help children realize their own strengths.
I believe that even toddlers and elementary school children who have just learned to read will be able to learn self-affirmation and grow by reading this book on their own, as it is easy to read and does not contain much text.
I also applaud Kiyotaka Ishii's simple yet powerful illustrations, which further enhance Shigenori Kusunoki's warm writing.

One by one during the upcoming open class
I'm going to present what I do best.
“Everyone has one thing they are good at.
“You can use that.”
The teacher said.

--- p.2-3

During break time, I was surprised at how well Shuto knew the names of so many flowers.
As it turns out, Shuto was a plant expert who knew everything about plants.

--- p.16-17

Everyone had something they were good at.
What am I good at?
I thought.
I held the eraser tightly and thought.
But I couldn't find what I was good at.

I held the eraser tightly and thought.
No matter how much I think about it······
I couldn't figure out what I was good at.
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't find it.

--- p.22-23

I'm holding the eraser so tightly that it's about to break.
The teacher came quietly to my side.
“······Teacher, I found everything my mom and friends are good at.
“I haven’t found anything I’m good at.”
I told my teacher everything my mom and friends were good at.
“Teacher, I’m not good at anything.”
He says this in a hushed voice:
I almost cried.

--- p.26-27