Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho is an enchanting picture book that captures the love between mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother.
“Some people have eyes like sapphire lagoons with lashes like lace trim on ballgowns, sweeping their cheeks as they twirl. By eyes, long lashes. Not me.”
The story opens with a little girl describing the eyes of her classmates and friends and noting that her eyes are not like theirs. Her eyes “kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea. My eyes are just like Mama’s.”
We learn about mama’s eyes that “kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea (and) crinkle into crescent moons…eyes sparkling like starlight…” while the illustration shows mama and daughter laughing on the floor.
The little girl tells us of her love for her mother and her mother’s love for her, calling her mama her “sun and sky.” And telling us how her mama’s eyes are just like her Amah’s eyes.
In the first few pages, we have what looks like an Asian American setting, but when we speak of her grandmother, sweeping Asian art dances across the pages. The story and art are so beautifully moving together in this love song of family.
Then we learn that Amah never ages in her granddaughter’s eyes – even though grandmother is grey-haired and a little wrinkled. But, importantly, her eyes are just like Mei-Mei’s. And, our little girl loves her little sister who has grandma’s eyes.
This beautiful story celebrates family and ethnic diversity in a really lovely way. Heart-warming and delightful, this picture book is charming.
