Eyes that Kiss in the Corners | A Review

Hey guys! Today I’ll be reviewing the lovely picture book; Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho. I hope you enjoy!

(Synopsis from goodreads)

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. 

The plot, if you will, was so empowering! I love how it’s simply about a young Asian girl talking about her eyes and heritage. I mean come on, how awesome is that!

Since this is a picture book, I don’t expect the characters to be extremely developed. However, I loved the main character’s relationship with their grandmother and mom. It was so cute and genuine. The girl’s relationship with who I assume is her younger sister, was also incredibly sweet. I loved how every character played a positive and impactful role in the young girl’s life.

In addition, the writing was phenomenal. It was poetic and left me feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside. The metaphors were very interesting, and I adore how the author enshrouds the readers into the story. My only complaint is that some lines where repeated a little too much. In my opinion, it made the lines lose there passion and impact a bit. Then again, repetition is very common in picture books so it didn’t bother me too much.

“My eyes crinkle into crescent moons
and sparkle like the stars.
Gold flecks dance and twirl
while stories whirl
in their oolong pools,
carrying tales of the past
and hope for the future.”
― Joanna Ho, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

I’m not going to lie, the art style is what initially drew me to the book. It is without a doubt, absolutely gorgeous. The way the illustrator creates the scenes is just remarkable. They captivate the readers’ attention, and are very aesthetic!

The overall enjoyment level of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is definitely high. It took me around ten minutes to read, and let me tell you that is was certainly ten minutes well spent! I recommend this stunning book to everyone!

Age Rating: 3 and up

TW: None

Final Rating: 9/10 or 4.5 stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Have you read Eyes that Kiss in the Corners? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 😊 Have a fabulous day!

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