By Cozbi A. Cabrera
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
By Joanna Ho; Illustrated by Dung Ho
“Some people have
eyes like sapphire lagoons
with lashes like lace trim on ballgowns...
Not me.”
Is this a problem? Or a gift? We turn the page and the author and illustrator answer with such positive words and pictures:
“I have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.
My eyes are just like Mama’s.”
The reader will be thoroughly engaged as this girl explores and notices the differences between herself and her school friends. Her mother of the crescent moon eyes, her grandmother of the eyes that, “see all the way into [her] heart,” and her little sister of the eyes that, “disappear beneath her two-tooth smile,” all show the girl that she is special. Listen to these poetic words,
“My eyes crinkle into crescent moons
And sparkle like the stars...
Carrying tales of the past
And hope for the future.”
This is a beautiful book both inside and out to be shared with all pre school and early elementary grade children. It is a lovely book to give as a gift. Given the current anti Asian American racism that is horribly present in our country, this book promotes similarities and differences as beautiful examples of our connection to the humanity in this world. Like the girl whose eyes are beautiful, so is the message in this book which is so well done