? Book Description
nWhy does Gyeol keep picking on me?
nA touching story about discovering the truth hidden behind a misunderstanding!

The story begins with a misunderstanding: Mari is convinced that her classmate Gyeol is bullying her. Already tired of the kids who tease her about her name—Gimmari, which sounds like a fried seaweed roll—she assumes Gyeol is making fun of her, too.

Whether he is trying to return her dropped eraser, protect her drawing, or grab her arm to keep her from falling, Mari mistakes every kind gesture for teasing. But one day, Mari spots Gyeol leaving school with his little sister, Kim Mal. When she sees the name tag on the girl’s backpack, everything suddenly makes sense: Gyeol plus Mal forms the word Gyeol-mal, which means “the ending” in Korean.

Can Mari look past her assumptions and recognize Gyeol’s true intentions? GYEOL-MAL is a thoughtful and sweet picture book about looking beneath the surface, communicating openly, and understanding a friend’s true intentions.

? Publisher's Review
nIs what we see really everything?

We often judge people based solely on what we see. Mari misinterprets Gyeol's actions, causing unnecessary pain for both of them. GYEOL-MAL shows children that the exact same situation can look completely different depending on your perspective, encouraging young readers to pause and consider a friend's true intentions.

A Story About Understanding What We Cannot See

Gyeol wanted to help Mari, but struggled to express his true feelings, while Mari misinterpreted his actions, causing them to drift apart. This story gently reminds us that good intentions alone are not enough—talking things through and sharing how we feel is what truly builds strong relationships.

The Warmest Ending Starts with Empathy

Misunderstandings can happen to anyone, but recognizing each other’s true intentions shows that relationships can always be restored. Through a story every child can relate to, GYEOL-MAL shows the quiet strength of compassion and reminds us that having the courage to trust and reach out is what creates the warmest ending of all.

? About the Author
nPicture book author Ella Nam published GYEOL-MAL while studying design at Affinity Universe. As the 106th picture book from Affinity Universe, this work shares the value of empathy and communication. It delicately portrays how children grow through their friendships as they learn to understand one another. The author hopes to keep creating warm stories that help readers understand their own emotions and listen closely to others’ feelings.

Gyeol-mal

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