Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
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4.5 • 13 Ratings
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
A New York Times Bestseller and #1 Indie Bestseller · A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year · A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021 · Included in NPR’s 2021 Books We Love List · Featured in Forbes, Oprah Daily, The Cut, and Book Riot · Golden Poppy Book Award Winner · Featured in Chicago Public Library’s Best Books of 2021 · 2021 Nerdy Award Winner · A Kirkus Children's Best Book of 2021
This lyrical, stunning picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate your Asian-shaped eyes, in the spirit of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry, and is a celebration of diversity.
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.
"This tale of self-acceptance and respect for one’s roots is breathtaking.” —Kirkus (starred review)
“A young girl finds beauty in her uniqueness.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“A lyrical celebration of her eyes, their shape, spirit, and legacy.” —Booklist (starred review)
“A poignant testament to familial love and legacy.” —Publishers Weekly
Plus don't miss the beautiful companion book from the same team: Eyes That Speak to the Stars.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
This lushly illustrated picture book celebrates diversity with a contagious sense of love and joy. When the young Asian narrator of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners looks around at her schoolyard friends, she sees eyes that are different from her own—round and blue and wonderful. And when she returns home to her beloved Mama, her Amah, and her baby sister, Mei-Mei, she sees her own features in their adoring faces…and that’s wonderful too! We love the unguarded exuberance of Joanna Ho’s sweet story, with its gorgeous illustrations and fun-to-read-out-loud words. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is a triumphant celebration of Asian identity and our multiracial society.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This poetic tale of self-acceptance by author Ho follows a Chinese American girl who recognizes how her eyes different from peers with "eyes like sapphire lagoons" evoke those of her mother, grandmother, and younger sister: "eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea." Mama's eyes inform the first-person narrator that "I'm a miracle," while Amah's eyes "are filled with so many stories," and Mei-Mei's eyes gaze "up at me/ like I am her best present." Warm, dimensional digital spreads by illustrator Ho (the Mindy Kim series) bolster this celebration of heritage with images of peonies, chrysanthemums, dragons, phoenixes, and figures from Chinese mythology, including Chang'e and the Jade Rabbit, Guanyin, and the Monkey King. Readers familiar with Chinese culture will recognize additional touches: Amah wears a jade bracelet, and an upside-down F character heralding good fortune is pasted by the family's front door. A poignant testament to familial love and legacy. Ages 4 8.
