Description The ninth picture book in the 'Jiwon and Byeonggwan' series has arrived — a series that readers have consistently said feels 'just like a story from our own home.' Written by Ko Dae-yeong and illustrated by Kim Young-jin, this beloved series now includes nine books: Riding the Subway (2006), Please Give Me Allowance (2007), Nail Biting (2008), Learning to Ride a Bike (2009), Telling a Lie (2009), Cleaning Up the House (2010), Stories About Eating (2011), Let's Go Get Praised (2012), and Is It Okay to Fight? (2013). A friend is bullying me and about to hit me first. Is it okay to fight back? Byeonggwan is now in second grade. He's been paired up with Hansol, who, like Byeonggwan, is small for his age. Woojin, a bigger boy, teases them both by calling them "shorties" and even clenches his fists to scare them. When Hansol's team loses a soccer match because of a mistake he made, Woojin—who was on the winning team—bullies him even more, and Byeonggwan steps in to protect his friend. After putting up with Woojin's teasing for as long as he can, Byeonggwan finally asks his dad: is it okay to fight? His dad is surprised at first, but after hearing the whole story, he advises Byeonggwan to only use his fists for something truly just. When Woojin bullies Hansol again, Byeonggwan finally stands up to him. An angry Woojin raises his fist to strike, but Byeonggwan grabs his arm and twists it behind his back. In the end, both boys get scolded by their teacher and have to write reflection letters, but Byeonggwan feels a deep sense of relief. Children Who Grow Through Friendship As children grow, they become part of peer groups and experience social interactions different from those within their families, helping them grow socially. Is It Okay to Fight? captures how children mature through the conflicts they have with friends. As in many classrooms, there's a child in Byeonggwan's class who teases and bullies others. Byeonggwan wants to stand up to him but wonders whether fighting is really the right thing to do. His dad takes Byeonggwan's worries and questions seriously, talking things through with him and offering steady support—because what might seem like a small issue to adults can feel huge and important to a child. Byeonggwan fights back both to shake off the teasing about his height and to protect his bullied friend. Even though he gets scolded by the teacher, he feels proud when Hansol thanks him. Hansol, too, is likely to grow more confident through his friendship with Byeonggwan. Through this story, children will learn that it's wrong to bully someone just because they're different, and that respecting and helping friends builds confidence and self-worth for everyone involved. Illustrations That Capture the Flow of Emotion Illustrator Kim Young-jin beautifully captures Byeonggwan's inner feelings through a wide range of expressions and movements. The opening scene, where Jiwon and Byeonggwan head to school full of excitement for the new school year, is bright and full of energy. Dynamic scenes of gym class with friends, and a sequence of Byeonggwan practicing self-defense with his older sister, highlight his lively, spirited nature. In the dream scene where Byeonggwan bursts with confidence and defeats Woojin, his self-assurance really shines through. In contrast, the scenes where Woojin intimidates him and where Byeonggwan fights Woojin for the first time use minimal color in black-and-white tones and bold omission of background details, vividly conveying anxiety and unease. One scene the illustrator paid special attention to is when Byeonggwan opens up to his dad about his worries. It's rendered in soft, warm tones that create a comforting atmosphere—as if Byeonggwan finds strength and peace of mind through his father's advice. The final scene is just as touching: after writing his reflection letter, Byeonggwan steps out onto the playground, where a shy Hansol thanks him, and Byeonggwan beams with pride. The screen fills with the warmth of spring, gently embracing these children who have grown just a little more.