Saturday Short Story Review: The Girl Who Said Sorry by Hayoung Yim

Hey everyone! I hope you all are having relaxing cheerful weekend.

Today’s short story is Childeren’s fiction, picture book – The Girl Who Said Sorry by Hayoung Yim

Published: October 5th 2017 by Rhyming Reason Books

Read Date: November 4th 2017

Pages: 16

Stars: 5/5

This was the best description I ever read for any story. I simply so loved it that without hesitation I downloaded this book from ‘read now’ section of NetGalley.

Teaching young girls to express themselves with confidence—without apology

Too girly or too boyish. Too thin or too fat. Too quiet, too loud. Be ambitious, but don’t hurt feelings. Be inquisitive, but don’t interrupt. Be outspoken, but don’t be bossy.

 Most of all, be yourself—but be a lady.

What’s a girl to do in a world filled with contradicting gender expectations, aside from saying sorry? 

The way we teach politeness norms to children is often confusing, changing based on gender—and can have lasting effects. And while everyone should be courteous and accountable for their actions, apologetic language out of context can undermine confidence and perceived capability.

Within the subtle yet beautiful illustrations and powerful rhyme of “The Girl Who Said Sorry”, developing girls will learn that self-expression and personal choices can be made without apology, and with confidence.

50% of profits from this book are donated to Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation campaign dedicated to empowering young girls to take action on global issues.

I was thinking what I should say for this picture book as the description above speaks volume. No review can describe or tell about book better than that.

The book is not for just young girls but for all parents teachers and both males and females. No matter how educated and modern this world has become gender discrimination is one thing that is still rooted in this world so strongly. At age 28 also I’m facing the issues just because I’m female!! You should do this, you should speak like this, do this and that, get married, have child and blah blah blah.

And the main and sad thing is females do these things more than males. (Of course that’s my observation, not pointing to anyone) Some won’t tell their boys to behave in particular way no matter what age is but they will expect particular kind of behavior from daughters or daughter-in-law! Or tell their boys this is girl’s work, you should not do it and let female of the house do the male’s work!!! Why??

When at my age I have this question and feeling, I can’t even imagine what little girls might be thinking and where she will be after 20 or 30 years. No doubt some will grow up with thought like they have done something wrong coming into this discriminating world and will apologize for everything like the girl in this picture book was doing or some who are strong enough will turn rebellious and stand for themselves without caring the about the world.

May be this sounds more feminist but it’s not just about that and it’s more about being who you’re without a gender tag.

Isn’t that illustration thought provoking, everyone pointing a little girl who said sorry every time people accused her for being thin or fat or girlish or boyish and so on?

This book is very inspiring with simple story and simple illustrations that says a lot. It teaches not to be sorry for each and everything people say, not to treat a girl like she has come into this world with so called rules written on her forehead that the society has made for them. It was it was about teaching girls to be themselves with confidence and not being sorry for that. Everyone is different, everyone is special and so is every girl and boy.

It’s ok if a girl is thin or fat, or ugly or beautiful, shy or bold, quiet or loud, girlish or boyish,,, or whatever adjective that I forgot to mention. She is human just like boys are human or like any adult. Never tie any human with gender tag or any rule society has made for them. Live and let live.

This is very thoughtful book that I recommend to everyone. I’ll say don’t just buy this copy for your girl, buy for your boy as well and for you school.

Illustrator: Marta Maszkiewicz

Author: Hayoung Yim

Hayoung Yim is a third-wave feminist, environmentalist, advocate for evidence-based public policies, and diverse writer. She lives in Toronto, Canada, where she dreams about implementing social change through popular culture.

In her spare time, she likes to travel through time and space.

Buy Here: Amazon.in /  Amazon.com

*** Note: I received review copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I am glad I got a chance to read this book. ***

What do you think about the book and review? Have you read this story? Share your thoughts in the comment-box below.

Happy Reading! 🙂