I wanted to look like the rest of my classmates with their big “ Western eyes” and curly hair.
The bullying – in addition to social cues and media that rendered Asian Americans practically invisible – made me ashamed of my background. They’d pull up their eyes into tight slits and sing in a mocking voice, “Ching Chong! Me Chinese, me go pee pee in my pants!” Two boys would stalk me on the playground every day. In elementary school, I was bullied because of my Chinese heritage.
Written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners celebrates the uniqueness of Asian eyes and embraces the legacies of the past while embracing the future. All opinions are my own.Įyes That Kiss in the Corners is the picture book I wish I had while growing up. Recommended to picture-book audiences in need of the message here, as well as to any that enjoy stories celebrating the beauty of human diversity.Note: Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers for providing a copy to review. With a heartwarming look at family love and connection, and a reassuring message about the worth of Asian eyes, there's a lot here to appreciate. I particularly enjoyed the two-page spreads featuring a backdrop of mythological creatures, from the dragon to the goddess Mazu, and the page on which the narrator appears in front of the constellations was just gorgeous. The artwork from Dung Ho, on the other hand, is every bit as beautiful here as in the earlier book, with a lovely color palette, and wonderfully expressive depictions of the characters. Although I wouldn't say that Joanna Ho's narrative here was quite as accomplished as in her first book, it was still immensely appealing, with a poetic quality and a warm-hearted tone that was very pleasing. Having greatly enjoyed Eyes that Kiss in the Corners I picked up Eyes That Speak to the Stars with a great deal of anticipation, and I was not disappointed. When a young boy is hurt by a school friend's depiction of him, with two slanted lines as eyes, his father tells him that his eyes "rise to the skies and speak to the stars." Interacting with his father, agong (grandfather) and di-di (younger brother), the boy gains strength and appreciation for his eyes, and for the members of his family. American author Joanna Ho and Vietnamese illustrator Dung Ho, who previously collaborated on the lovely Eyes that Kiss in the Corners return in this second picture-book, once again exploring the beauty of Asian eyes, and the importance of family love and relationships.
0 kommentar(er)
