Joanna Ho

This lyrical and stunning picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate your Asian-shaped eyes, in the of spirit of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry 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 and is a celebration of diversity.

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

ash (smokedshelves)

Zia Nazaliah Ainisyifa

This lyrical and stunning picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate your Asian-shaped eyes, in the of spirit of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry. "This tale of self-acceptance and respect for one’s roots is breathtaking.” —Kirkus (starred review) 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 and is a celebration of diversity.

Simone Rhodes

4.5 stars

This was such a beautifully written and illustrated picture book and my only qualm is I wish it had more pages because I didn’t want it to be over. 

“My eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea are a revolution.” They are indeed!

cossette

did not expect to sob over this book, but "my eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea are a revolution. they are mama and amah and mei-mei. they are me. and they are beautiful." made me bawl for a good ten minutes.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

Author: Joanna Ho

Book Series: Standalone

Diversity: Asian main and side characters

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For...: Diverse reads, ownvoice work, children's book

Publication Date: January 5, 2021

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 40

Recommended Age: 5+ (diversity and how we should celebrate it)

Synopsis: 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 and is a celebration of diversity.

Review: I absolutely loved this sweet book! It was adorable in every way. The story was moving and will be so relatable to so many children. The art is also so amazing and wonderfully well done. I highly recommend this read for anyone.

Verdict: Highly recommend!

Tayler Park

I have 2 half Japanese nephew & nieces. I’m so happy that there’s a picture book out in the world that kids who are confused why their eyes don’t look like everyone else’s eyes, can relate too. The illustrations was amazing and I just loved every page of this book. 
 I picked it up and immediately had to sneak and read it while I was working because it was so cute. 100% recommended

Serena Timmerman

*read for a class assignment*
I didn't expect this book to make me emotional. Especially because it's not one that is necessarily relatable for me. But knowing that this book exists and Asian children will be able to see themselves fully acknowledged as beautiful and powerful gives me all the feels. This book is important for non-Asian children to read as well as it shows the beauty in this eye shape. The illustrations are beautiful and show snippets of Asian history and culture. I would highly recommend this for any child or classroom to have on their shelves.

Ashley Moncayo

Honestly, this made me tear up! It’s so beautiful, the writing, the illustrations, the message, just *chef’s kiss*

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

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