'The Girl of the Grey,' the recently self-published children’s book by SJI International Grade 11 student Saachi, is much more than a story - it's a mission.
Saachi is committing 100% of the proceeds from her debut work to Limitless, a Singapore charity dedicated to youth mental health support.
The book is a heartfelt picture book addressing the common pressure to excel academically. The story follows a young girl who struggles in school and begins to doubt herself, whispering, “Maybe I’m just not that smart after all.” Through a journey of kindness, courage, and empathy, she ultimately discovers that her greatest strengths lie in embracing her unique self.
Saachi was inspired to write the book after reflecting on how many young people today feel the weight of expectations. She shared that her core motivation was seeing the pressure to succeed in every area of life, particularly academics. While she explains that striving to excel is important, she also felt compelled to offer a counter-message that champions self-acceptance:
“I also feel like it's so important to accept and love who you are and all the different, unique parts of yourself."
Launching her book in October to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month, Saachi has put the core SJI International value of ‘service’ into impactful action.
Her story has also gained national attention. 'The Girl of the Grey' was featured in The Straits Times and went on to top the newspaper’s Weekly Bestsellers (Children’s) list, an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the impact of Saachi’s message.
Saachi chose Limitless SG because their mission resonated deeply with her belief in the enduring impact of childhood stories. She hopes her book instils long-lasting self-acceptance in young readers:
"When you grow up with stories, it sticks with you for a really long time, and I feel like this is a really important message to grow up with. You can grow up with the pride of loving yourself and being able to accept who you are."
Saachi, who teamed up with 13-year-old Arianna Dattani Joshi for the illustrations, offers a clear message of hope to every reader:
"It's okay to be your own unique self, and we should celebrate the different parts of ourselves."
We celebrate Saachi for embodying three of our core values - service, community and excellence. Using her talent to advocate for such a vital cause, she is truly inspiring her peers and demonstrating that compassion and courage are some of the most essential strengths we can possess.
‘The Girl of the Grey’ is available for purchase at the links below:
Hardcover: https://www.bookbar.sg/store/p/thegirlofthegrey
Amazon (digital and paperback): https://www.amazon.in/Girl-Grey-Saachi-Khatwani-ebook/dp/B0FRRKHHJJ