“No one is born able to calmly endure being disliked by others. It's Okay to Be Disliked does not teach children to increase their tolerance for criticism; rather, it cultivates the courage to build strong self-esteem. Self-esteem is the self-efficacy that comes from believing you are worthy of love and that you can overcome challenges. Success experiences build self-esteem; conversely, with healthy self-esteem, you have the opportunity to achieve success—that is why self-esteem matters so much.”
— Yoon Dae-hyun, Professor of Mental Health Medicine at Seoul National University, author of Don't Let Your Heart Get Hurt

Publisher's Recommendation:

Finally here! The children's edition of The Courage to Be Disliked

Inspired by the phenomenal bestseller The Courage to Be Disliked, this book adapts its narrative perspective specifically for children! The only Adlerian psychology book you can confidently recommend to your child! Filled with engaging stories and practical reflection exercises to help Adlerian psychology take root in young minds.

Looking inward, growth begins right there.

"I get upset. When Mom comes home from work, I don't say hello. Sometimes I refuse to eat, and I slam the door angrily. Mom comes into my room and asks me all sorts of questions. Sometimes she scolds me, but afterward, she still hugs me. Maybe I just wanted Mom's attention."

"This book is the children's version of The Courage to Be Disliked. It gives children the courage to build strong self-esteem."
— Yoon Dae-hyun, Professor at Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center

Follow Ye-seo and her grandfather on a special journey of courage.

Fourth-grader Ye-seo has moved in with her grandfather. Her father has been posted to Indonesia for a year, and her mother, having been promoted, has become busier than ever—leaving far less time for Ye-seo. After transferring to a new school, Ye-seo is busy adjusting to her new environment and making new friends. She finally looks forward to summer vacation, hoping to spend time with her mother, only to learn that her mother has to leave on a long overseas business trip.

Her grandfather, who has been quietly watching over her, decides to take her on a "courage journey." Rooted in "courage psychology"—or Adlerian psychology—Grandfather guides Ye-seo to become the protagonist of her own life. Step by step, Ye-seo learns to know herself, to respect and accept herself, to build friendships, and to contribute as a member of society—ultimately realizing: My life is mine to live.

A growth guide for children: stepping out of dependence and learning independence.

Children are constantly judged and compared by academic performance, appearance, and family circumstances. Adults find it easy to feel inferior in comparison—and children, with even less life experience, face an even more complex environment. The road ahead is full of unknowns, challenges keep coming, and parents cannot be by their side forever. It's Okay to Be Disliked is a book of courage for children to face difficulties head-on.

Many children are filled with confusion:
"I don't know what I truly want."
"Why does he dislike me?"
"Why are my parents different from others?"
"Why am I not tall?"
"Why aren't I good-looking enough?"
"I want to study hard, but I can never seem to do it."

When faced with troubles, children most easily fall into relying on their parents' thoughts and expectations. This may seem to temporarily solve the problem, but long-term dependence can lead to losing oneself and, unconsciously, giving up the initiative in one's own life.

This is exactly what happens to Ye-seo, the protagonist of this book. Her father is posted to Indonesia, her mother is busy with work, the family moves to her grandfather's house, and Ye-seo is forced to change schools. Then her mother leaves for a long business trip. Ye-seo vaguely feels that adults always put their own matters first. Feeling upset, she even pretends to be sick to get attention—only to regret it later, fearing that her mother no longer loves her.

While her mother is away, Grandfather decides to take Ye-seo on a courage journey. Starting with self-awareness, she learns to accept her own worth, build relationships, contribute to others, and gradually realizes that the initiative in life rests in her own hands. Join this journey of the heart. After reading this book, children will gain the courage to accept themselves and love themselves bravely.

★ Rights sold: Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese.
★ The children's edition of The Courage to Be Disliked: Inspired by the phenomenal bestseller The Courage to Be Disliked, this book is tailored for upper-elementary readers approaching adolescence. It translates Adlerian psychology—known as "courage psychology"—into child-friendly content through the everyday conversations between Ye-seo and her grandfather, making Adler's ideas easily accessible to young readers.
★ A phenomenal children's bestseller with both critical and commercial acclaim: It long held the #1 spot in children's book rankings on major Korean book sites. It was selected as a "Excellent Korean Children's Book" and voted by Korean readers as the 2017 Book of the Year.
★ Endorsed by authoritative experts, ensuring reliable content: Warmly recommended by Professor Yoon Dae-hyun of Seoul National University's Department of Mental Health Medicine and Park Ye-jin, President of the Korean Adlerian Psychology Association. The content was reviewed by the official Korean representative of the International Adlerian Society to ensure accurate transmission of core Adlerian concepts. The Traditional Chinese edition received a heartfelt recommendation from writer and parent-child education expert Li Chongjian, who said, "This book helps children learn to be alone and to be part of a group. Through small life stories, it heals and guides the growth of pure young hearts."
★ A perfect blend of healing stories and psychological theory: The main narrative follows the troubles and growth of fourth-grade girl Ye-seo, authentically portraying the various challenges children face daily—friendship issues, family relationships, self-identity, and more—making it easy for young readers to relate. Each chapter ends with a deep-thinking section to help children consolidate what they've learned, combining reading pleasure with educational value. Traditional Chinese sample pages are available for evaluation.

This book is a growth guide for children undergoing intense social development, helping them understand what true happiness means.

The story follows fourth-grader Ye-seo, who is approaching adolescence, through her troubles and growth, interspersed with many smaller stories. It translates Adlerian psychology—known as "courage psychology"—into child-friendly content. The book authentically depicts the various challenges children face daily, making it easy for young readers to relate.

Inspired by the phenomenal bestseller The Courage to Be Disliked, the book uses a dialogue-based narrative to highlight the crucial role of communication in a child's development. Following in the tradition of The Courage to Be Disliked, the book seamlessly weaves Adlerian psychology into the everyday conversations between Ye-seo and her grandfather, allowing children to understand Adler's ideas with ease. Each chapter ends with a "Deep Thinking in Adler's Library" section to help children consolidate what they've learned.

This work blends original fairy-tale storytelling with psychological theory, offering both reading pleasure and guidance for reflecting on life's values. Professor Yoon Dae-hyun of Seoul National University highly recommends it: "When parents and children read this book together, it is often the parents who first gain the opportunity for self-reflection. Both children and adults will find themselves deeply moved by this book."

[Author] Hwang Jae-yeon
Currently teaching at an educational institution, while also planning books, writing, and translating. He hopes this book will comfort those who are lost in relationships but have kind hearts. His representative work includes It's Okay to Be Disliked.

[Illustrator] Kim Wan-jin
He majored in Western painting at university and is now a picture book author and illustrator, primarily creating illustrations for children's books. He often reminisces about his own childhood and strives to create stories that resonate with children through his illustrations.
Written and illustrated works: Dad Has Disappeared!, Dinosaur Dad, The Little House, To the Big Pouch Island
Illustrated works: The World's Poorest Convenience Store, Time-Bought Books, Read One More Chapter!, Dad Can't Sleep, It's Saturday Again Today, Strange People Live in Our Apartment, The Grown Child, and more.

[Reviewer] Park Ye-jin
Official Korean representative of the International Adlerian Society; current President of the Korean Adlerian Association and Director of the Adler Korea Institute.
Through counseling, psychological education, and publishing, she has brought Alfred Adler's philosophy of respect for human dignity to Korea. She is a Special Professor at Dankook University's Graduate School of Business, an internationally certified Adlerian psychotherapist, and an internationally certified Positive Discipline instructor, dedicated to training internationally qualified Adlerian counselors.
In 2009, she visited the Alfred Adler Institute, the predecessor of Adlerian psychology, and formally began her study of Adlerian psychology, later obtaining international certification from the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology.
Her publications include Understanding Adler at Thirty, The Me Who Can't Accept Myself, and You Don't Have to Be Liked by Everyone.

Foreword

Part 1: The Courage to Be Alone
Seeing the World Through My Own Glasses
I Am the Protagonist of My Life
Am I Angry Because I Want to Be Angry?
What I Can Do and What I Can't Do
It's Enough to Take Responsibility for My Own Life Tasks

Part 2: The Courage to Be with Others

[Relationships with Siblings and Friends]
Superiority and Inferiority Through Comparison
Does Being Popular Make Me Happy?
It's Okay Not to Be Accepted by Others
It's More Important to Focus on What I Can Change

[Relationships with Parents and Teachers]
Is Being Scolded My Own Choice?
Is Praise Always Good?
I Have My Own Value
So What If I'm Not Special? Have Courage!

[Relationships with Groups]
Trust Makes Us Get Along Better
We Can't Be Understood and Liked by Everyone
I Like Our Class
Adler, the Scholar of Courage Psychology