Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho | Book Review
Credit: HarperCollins Publisher
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Jo and Dung Ho
About the Book: A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future.
Drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognizes her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment. This powerful, poetic picture book will resonate with readers of all ages.
Review
As children, we are actively making observations about ourselves and the world around us. We try to find a sense of belonging all while recognizing our differences. Sometimes that may come with curiosity or self-consciousness. In Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, a young Asian girl notices how her eyes look different form her peers’. Through beautiful illustrations, we see how the girl’s eyes are like her mother’s, grandmother’s, and sister’s. This brings her comfort and strength.
As a transracial adoptee, my eyes kiss in the corners but my family members’ do not. Children especially look for both windows and mirrors in the stories they read. This book acts as both for me. In some ways, it is a window to a life that could have been with the power of generations, ancestry, and pride in Chinese heritage. And yet, I see myself so clearly in this young girl as her imagination and sense of identity grow. I cannot relate to her discovery of looking like her family, but I can connect to my ancestry and heritage because I carry that all within myself.