'Are You Okay Yang?' Boek

Wei’s problem-solving is what really stands out — my son kept asking “what would I do?” after each page, which is exactly the kind of thinking I wanted him to practice. The playground setting feels familiar enough that he’s already retelling the story to his stuffed animals.

My four-year-old actually gasped at the part where Wei tries the silly face first—it’s the kind of story that makes empathy feel like a fun puzzle instead of a lesson. The playground setting is so specific it’s sparked real conversations about what to do when a friend gets hurt.

The playground scene hit home with my son—he instantly connected with Wei's quick thinking and started asking what he'd do if his own buddy fell. It's rare to find a kids' book that tackles empathy this directly without being preachy.