Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

A young Chinese American girl observes that her eyes look different from her peers and reflects on the eyes of her family members. Through vivid illustrations and lyrical text, she explores the connection between her eyes and her cultural heritage. The picture book showcases the beauty and power of East Asian eyes through familial relationships and cultural elements. The artwork by illustrator Dung Ho brings the story to life with scenes of both everyday moments and Chinese landscapes. This debut work by author Joanna Ho celebrates diversity, self-acceptance, and cultural pride while challenging Western beauty standards. The story connects physical features to deeper themes of family bonds, cultural inheritance, and personal identity.

Readers describe this picture book as an empowering celebration of Asian eyes and self-acceptance. Parents and teachers report children connecting with the story's message about embracing unique features. What readers liked: - Beautiful illustrations that capture emotion and cultural details - Makes Asian children feel seen and represented - Opens discussions about diversity and self-love - Poetic, lyrical writing style - Positive family relationships, especially mother-daughter bonds What readers disliked: - Some found the text too complex for younger children - A few noted the focus is specifically on East Asian features - Price point considered high by some for a picture book Ratings: Goodreads: 4.47/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.9/5 (2,900+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.9/5 (500+ ratings) "This book brought tears to my eyes - finally a story that celebrates our eyes instead of mocking them," wrote one Asian-American parent on Goodreads. Multiple teachers reported the book becoming a classroom favorite for discussions about identity and acceptance.

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🌟 The book received multiple awards, including being named a New York Times Bestseller and earning the 2021 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. 🎨 Illustrator Dung Ho, who created the book's stunning artwork, is from Vietnam and specializes in children's book illustration with a focus on cultural representation. 👥 Author Joanna Ho worked as a teacher and school administrator for over 17 years before writing this book, drawing from her experiences with young students struggling with identity. 📚 The book was inspired by Ho's own daughter and her desire to help children embrace their Asian features, particularly their eyes, which are often subject to stereotypes and bias. 🌏 The book's success led to a companion title "Eyes That Speak to the Stars," focusing on a young Asian boy's journey of self-discovery and cultural pride.