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Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2021)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.
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.
34 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 2021
About the author
Joanna Ho
13 books357 followersJoanna Ho Bradshaw is the author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners (HarperCollins, Jan 2021), Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma (HarperCollins, Fall 2021), and One Day (Winter 2023). She is a writer and educator with a passion for anti-bias, anti-racism and equity work. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s from the Principal Leadership Institute at Berkeley. She has been an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, and a professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the Bay Area, where she survives on homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids. Keep your eyes open for more books to come!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,634 reviews
September 13, 2023
'I have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.'
Me *before reading*: Let's read this picture book so that I can complete myedited 2020 reading challenge
Me *after reading*: LOL SOBS I'M FINE
For real, though Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is absolutely beautiful and so well-written, I got emotional barely halfway through. It's important to have such affirming stories when we live in a world where people of color are discriminated against and made to feel inadequate on the basis of something as simple as how their eyes look. Some strides have no doubt been made, but there's still a long way to go and Eyes That Kiss in the Corners provides a stepping stone to such a future for which I'm glad.
However, do read Jess's review about how reading such a book as a kid could posed more questions than answers for adoptee kids.
P.S. Also read this author letter, which talks about her own story and what she hope that this book achieves as 'Learning to recognize our own beauty is an act of revolution.'
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I can already tell that this will be everything ✨
Me *before reading*: Let's read this picture book so that I can complete my
Me *after reading*: LOL SOBS I'M FINE
For real, though Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is absolutely beautiful and so well-written, I got emotional barely halfway through. It's important to have such affirming stories when we live in a world where people of color are discriminated against and made to feel inadequate on the basis of something as simple as how their eyes look. Some strides have no doubt been made, but there's still a long way to go and Eyes That Kiss in the Corners provides a stepping stone to such a future for which I'm glad.
However, do read Jess's review about how reading such a book as a kid could posed more questions than answers for adoptee kids.
P.S. Also read this author letter, which talks about her own story and what she hope that this book achieves as 'Learning to recognize our own beauty is an act of revolution.'
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I can already tell that this will be everything ✨
November 20, 2021
4.5 Stars
Super sweet 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Super sweet 🖤🐶🐺🐾
June 29, 2021
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is a children’s picture book about a young Asian girl feeling good about herself. The book is written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho.
She realizes that her eyes are not like everyone’s. Her eyes are like her mother’s. Her eyes are like her grandmother’s. Her eyes are like her little sister’s. Her “eyes kiss in the corners.”
She realizes that her eyes are her eyes and that they are beautiful.
Great little story and great illustrations.
Great book for kids ages 2 to 7 about self love and empowerment.
She realizes that her eyes are not like everyone’s. Her eyes are like her mother’s. Her eyes are like her grandmother’s. Her eyes are like her little sister’s. Her “eyes kiss in the corners.”
She realizes that her eyes are her eyes and that they are beautiful.
Great little story and great illustrations.
Great book for kids ages 2 to 7 about self love and empowerment.
January 15, 2021
1-15-21: Pardon me while I wipe the tears away, but this book!
I'm a biracial woman (part Chinese and part Mexican); growing up, I wasn't aware of my features until I was enrolled in a new school. My peers made it clear that since I wasn't fully Asian or fully Latina, I was going to have to work hard to fit in. Long story short, I spent a lot of my life ashamed of myself, including my eyes.
I'm in a better place, but when I first heard about EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS, I sobbed for about twenty minutes. Here is a book that embraces kids who looked like me. Here is a book that celebrates those same kids. As I mentioned in my previous review, this is everything my childhood self (and, if I'm honest, my current self) needed to hear. A quiet yet empowering affirmation of love and acceptance. I hope this book reaches not just those children whose eyes kiss in the corners, but all readers.
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The title alone made me cry. This is the book I would go back in time and give my younger self.
I'm a biracial woman (part Chinese and part Mexican); growing up, I wasn't aware of my features until I was enrolled in a new school. My peers made it clear that since I wasn't fully Asian or fully Latina, I was going to have to work hard to fit in. Long story short, I spent a lot of my life ashamed of myself, including my eyes.
I'm in a better place, but when I first heard about EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS, I sobbed for about twenty minutes. Here is a book that embraces kids who looked like me. Here is a book that celebrates those same kids. As I mentioned in my previous review, this is everything my childhood self (and, if I'm honest, my current self) needed to hear. A quiet yet empowering affirmation of love and acceptance. I hope this book reaches not just those children whose eyes kiss in the corners, but all readers.
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The title alone made me cry. This is the book I would go back in time and give my younger self.
May 16, 2022
I don't usually log the children's books I read anymore — especially since having a 5-year-old means I would be logging a lot of them, and I don't have much of a commentary to offer on the majority of them — but we picked this one from the library's ebook selection after I saw it in the Goodreads Choice Awards, and truly, it was so stunning and sweet. The art is BEAUTIFUL and we were both totally enthralled by this sweet family. I highly recommend this to anyone with a small child in your life, but even if it's just for you, as an adult: I still think you should read this lovely little story.
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December 3, 2021
"Some people have
eyes like sapphire lagoons
with lashes like lace trim on ballgowns,
sweeping their cheeks as they twirl.
Big eyes, long lashes.
Not me.
I have eyes that kiss on the corners and glow like warm tea."
Celebrating a girl and her sister and mother and grandmother and cultural and ethnic pride.
"They are me and they are beautiful."
eyes like sapphire lagoons
with lashes like lace trim on ballgowns,
sweeping their cheeks as they twirl.
Big eyes, long lashes.
Not me.
I have eyes that kiss on the corners and glow like warm tea."
Celebrating a girl and her sister and mother and grandmother and cultural and ethnic pride.
"They are me and they are beautiful."
March 18, 2021
this was the loveliest book ever and I shall always cherish it
January 19, 2021
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.
August 3, 2021
Loved the beautiful illustrations!
February 14, 2021
THE ARTWORK IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL and the story will help so many asian children overcome their differences in appearances and have self-love
November 10, 2023
"I have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea"
February 16, 2021
A completely beautiful and important reading experience. The illustrations are exquisite and the text is so heartfelt -- tender yet powerful. But, don't take my word for it, read the reviews by those for whom this book has personal meaning. I couldn't help but think of my young nieces as I read this book -- their eyes "kiss in the corners" and I hope they will feel as strong and as beautiful as the little girl in this book.
May 4, 2021
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho reviewed by H
“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.”
Perhaps, it is just the time I chose to read this children’s book.
It certainly isn’t sad; it is very self-affirming. The illustrations are imaginative and charming. It recognizes that a child should not be embarrassed when she or he notes differences between her/him and others.
Yet, the news now is fraught with acts of violence and disrespect against people of Asian descent. The past year has seen this fanned by many ambitious for political (or other) gain.
I will read this with my six-year-old and see what are her non-Asian thoughts about it.
“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.”
Perhaps, it is just the time I chose to read this children’s book.
It certainly isn’t sad; it is very self-affirming. The illustrations are imaginative and charming. It recognizes that a child should not be embarrassed when she or he notes differences between her/him and others.
Yet, the news now is fraught with acts of violence and disrespect against people of Asian descent. The past year has seen this fanned by many ambitious for political (or other) gain.
I will read this with my six-year-old and see what are her non-Asian thoughts about it.
January 26, 2021
STUNNING!!! Even more so in the print book than the digital galley! An affirming story for Asian American children that should be in every classroom and school. Will pair beautifully with Where Are You From? & Hair Love. The perfect picture book to start counteracting the too often seen stereotype of slanted/squinty eyes in illustrations of Asian characters.
June 11, 2021
Such a beautiful and sweet book about accepting the things that make us different and wonderful (in this case the eyes) and that learning to love your body is a constant but fulfilling journey.
The illustrations were really charming and I loved the lyrical text, especially towards the end!
Also eff Western beauty standards forever.
The illustrations were really charming and I loved the lyrical text, especially towards the end!
Also eff Western beauty standards forever.
January 6, 2021
My partner heard me bawling in the bathroom over this book. I wish I had this book growing up. It would have taken me on a better journey to self-love (and most likely many others). I implore every educator, whether you're a teacher or parent, to grab this book and add it to your libraries. It's important for children to see themselves in mainstream media. To see eyes, something on our body that is often scrutinized as undesirable, represented in such a way is so...freeing. Definitely recommend this. 10/10 would cry again.
November 29, 2021
Amah's eyes that kiss in the corners
and glow like warm tea
don't work like they used to.
But she sees all the way into my heart
What a beautiful book. It is a loving mix of inspiration and empowerment.
Any child who might be questioning their differences will know ways to embrace and celebrate their uniqueness after reading this joy-filled book.
and glow like warm tea
don't work like they used to.
But she sees all the way into my heart
What a beautiful book. It is a loving mix of inspiration and empowerment.
Any child who might be questioning their differences will know ways to embrace and celebrate their uniqueness after reading this joy-filled book.
January 6, 2021
Dung Ho's lush, breathtaking illustrations illuminate the author's heartwarming and lyrical praise for eyes shared by several generations of women and girls in a family—and the myriad stories, traditions, and history behind that special gaze. Uplifting and essential!
January 16, 2024
“When Mama tucks me in at night, her eyes tell me I’m a miracle. In those moments when she’s all mine, flecks of dancing gold tell me I’m hers too.”
May 19, 2023
Absolutely lovely. Blurb is accurate... I'm so glad that I was wrong about what I thought it might be based on the title: I thought it might be about affirmation against kids with round-eyes, and have some teasing going on. But no, it doesn't need that conflict. There's nothing wrong about anybody's eyes (or hair, or any other difference).
The girl's eyes are wonderful because they are like those of the other strong, beautiful, brave, creative, and kind people in her family and in her heritage. And that is what makes them wondrous, and what reminds her that she is wonderful, too.
Anyone who is a member of a family that treasures their heritage could write a story like this; it would also make a terrific Mentor Text. 'My eyes "like sapphire lagoons," or 'my hair like a sunset,' or 'my imagination like a mockingbird's song'" or whatever the child sees repeated in his family or her heritage....
Of course without Dung Ho's amazing pictures the children's works won't be quite the same. But I would love to read the results of having a classroom do a few lines each on what of their own connects them to their kin.
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Update May 2023. This book is the Story Walk selection at Bethany (OK) library. My husband and adult son were with me so we read it together. We all enjoyed it, and my son was especially impressed by the art. What really impressed us was the inclusion of so many peonies. I wonder what theme the creators had in mind? (see my comment below)
The girl's eyes are wonderful because they are like those of the other strong, beautiful, brave, creative, and kind people in her family and in her heritage. And that is what makes them wondrous, and what reminds her that she is wonderful, too.
Anyone who is a member of a family that treasures their heritage could write a story like this; it would also make a terrific Mentor Text. 'My eyes "like sapphire lagoons," or 'my hair like a sunset,' or 'my imagination like a mockingbird's song'" or whatever the child sees repeated in his family or her heritage....
Of course without Dung Ho's amazing pictures the children's works won't be quite the same. But I would love to read the results of having a classroom do a few lines each on what of their own connects them to their kin.
---
Update May 2023. This book is the Story Walk selection at Bethany (OK) library. My husband and adult son were with me so we read it together. We all enjoyed it, and my son was especially impressed by the art. What really impressed us was the inclusion of so many peonies. I wonder what theme the creators had in mind? (see my comment below)
July 2, 2021
Beautiful and colorful illustrations of an Asian family and ancestry recognizing and celebrating their uniqueness with growing confidence.
April 7, 2021
A young Asian-American girl, first observing some of her friends' eyes, goes on to describe and celebrate her own, which "kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea." Her eyes are like her mother's, like her amah's (grandmother's), and like her Mei-mei's (little sister's), and they tie her to her loving family, and to her cultural history. By loving her own eyes, and everything that they represent, the girl participates in a revolutionary act...
Educator and author Joanna Ho makes her debut in Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, and what a debut it is! With a poetic and poignant text, this book explores ideas of self love and self acceptance, taking a facial feature that sets many Asian-Americans apart from their peers, and celebrating it. I appreciated the framing of the story, with its initial positive description of other (European) eyes, and the follow-up statement that the narrator's eyes are different, and wonderful. This is a subtle point, but it emphasizes the fact that the girl's eyes are beautiful, not because they are different from any other kind of eyes - after all, all eyes are beautiful, and do not need to be judged in relation to any other - but because of their own intrinsic worth, and because they reflect the girl's familial and cultural heritage. The accompanying artwork from Vietnamese illustrator Dung Ho is simply gorgeous, utilizing a beautiful color palette, and depicting the girl and her family in a wonderfully expressive way that captures their loving bond. I highly recommend this one, both to any picture-book reader who personally needs this message about the beauty and value of "eyes that kiss in the corners," and to any that enjoy stories celebrating the beauty of human diversity. I think it could pair very nicely with books like Cozbi A. Cabrera's My Hair is a Garden , which also celebrates a beautiful feature of a young girl's appearance, or Julianne Moore's Freckleface Strawberry .
Educator and author Joanna Ho makes her debut in Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, and what a debut it is! With a poetic and poignant text, this book explores ideas of self love and self acceptance, taking a facial feature that sets many Asian-Americans apart from their peers, and celebrating it. I appreciated the framing of the story, with its initial positive description of other (European) eyes, and the follow-up statement that the narrator's eyes are different, and wonderful. This is a subtle point, but it emphasizes the fact that the girl's eyes are beautiful, not because they are different from any other kind of eyes - after all, all eyes are beautiful, and do not need to be judged in relation to any other - but because of their own intrinsic worth, and because they reflect the girl's familial and cultural heritage. The accompanying artwork from Vietnamese illustrator Dung Ho is simply gorgeous, utilizing a beautiful color palette, and depicting the girl and her family in a wonderfully expressive way that captures their loving bond. I highly recommend this one, both to any picture-book reader who personally needs this message about the beauty and value of "eyes that kiss in the corners," and to any that enjoy stories celebrating the beauty of human diversity. I think it could pair very nicely with books like Cozbi A. Cabrera's My Hair is a Garden , which also celebrates a beautiful feature of a young girl's appearance, or Julianne Moore's Freckleface Strawberry .
January 12, 2022
Eyes the smile.
Beautiful illustrations. And the most beautiful story. Like her grandmother her mom and her baby sister the corners of there eyes smile..
Beautiful illustrations. And the most beautiful story. Like her grandmother her mom and her baby sister the corners of there eyes smile..
December 5, 2021
"لدي عيون تقبِّل في الزوايا وتتوهج كالشاي الدافئ،
عيناي مثل أمي " 💜💜
قصة ساحرة مصورة وشعرية غنائية، مذهلة ورائعة ومؤثرة وتلمس القلب،
حلوة ودافئة كفاكهة الليتشي على الأشجار والشاي الدافئ في اليد برسومات مشرقة ودافئة عن اكتشاف الذات وحب الذات والثقة في النفس،
وعن الاحتفال والانتماء إلى الجذور والعائلة والثقافة،
تمنح الأطفال من الأعراق المختلفة نظرة عاطفية ومضيئة عن تقبل الذات وتقبل الآخرين ، وعن مناهضة التمييز العنصري سواء الآسيوي أو أي نوع آخر،
ونظرة إنسانية عن الحب ،حب الذات وحب الجميع.
القصة عن فتاة صغيرة من تايوان تكتشف أن عيونها تختلف عن عيون صديقاتها في المدرسة، وتتمنى لو كانت مثلهن،
ولكن عندما تنظر حولها في البيت تجد أن عيونها مثل أمها وجدتها وأختها، تقبِّل في الزوايا وتلمع كالشاي الدافئ،
عيون أمها تخبرها أنها معجزة،
وعيون جدتها التي أصبحت ضعيفة تستطيع أن ترى كل الطريق الممتد إلى قلبها، وتستطيع حتى أن تقرأ أفكارها،
وعيون أختها الصغيرة مي مي تراها كأنها هديتها المميزة،
وتبدأ تدرك أنها تستطيع كالآخرين أن ترى جيدًا كل شيء بعينيها ،
فاكهة الليتشي الحلوة على الأشجار، والجبال التي تمتد حتى البحر، وتمتلئ بالحكايات كجدتها، تحمل حكايات الماضي والأمل في المستقبل ، فتبدأ في حب نفسها، وتقبل شكل عيونها التي تقبِّل في الزوايا وتلمع وتتوهج كالشاي الدافئ، وتدرك أنها ثورة ، وأنها هي ذاتها ونفسها، وأنها جميلة،
"إن عيني التي تقبّل في الزوايا وتتوهج مثل الشاي الدافئ ثورة، إنهما أمي وجدتي ومي مي أختي، إنهما أنا، وإنهما جميلتين"
نعم يا حبيبتي إنهما كذلك، وأنتِ أيضًا ثورة ومعجزة وهدية ،
أنتِ جميلة ، أنتِ نجمة مضيئة في كل العيون،
وأنا أحبكِ جدًا، وأحب عينيكِ التي تقبّل في الزوايا وتتوهج كالشاي الدافئ وتلمع كالنجوم،
قبلات بلا نهاية لكِ ولعينيكِ الجميلتين مثلك ~💕💕
"I have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea
My eyes are just like mama's" 💜💜
A charming touching and heartwarming stunning ,adorable and lyrical story,
so sweet and warm like baubles of lychee on trees and warm tea in hand, with bright and warm
illustrations ,
About self-discovery, self-love and self-confidence,
And about celebrating belonging to roots, family and culture, It gives children of different races an emotional and bright view of self-acceptance and acceptance of others, and the fight against racial discrimination, whether Asian or any other, And a humanistic view of love, self-love and everyone's love.
"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 "
"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"
Yes they are, and you are also a revolution, a miracle and a present, you are beautiful,
You are a star shining in all eyes,
And I love you so much, and I love your eyes that kiss in the corners, glow like warm tea and sparkle like stars,
Endless kisses to you
and to your beautiful eyes like you ~💕💕
4.12.2021
January 13, 2021
STUNNING! The language of this book, the art, all of it is absolutely STUNNING. Without giving too much away, here are a few of my favorite lines (there are many!):
My eyes crinkle into crescent moons
and sparkle like the stars
My lashes curve like the
swords of warriors
and, through them,
I see kingdoms in the clouds
Joanna Ho ends by having the MC call her eyes a revolution. This book certainly is a revolution. As an educator who used to serve a significant population of Asian American kids in a community center, I sometimes heard the negative ways the students talked about their eyes. I so wish I had, had this book as a read aloud and a book to give away to students who needed it. I’ll certainly be donating copies to that center. Asian kids need this book and other kids do too because of the emphatic way it celebrates a physical feature that isn’t Eurocentric.
My eyes crinkle into crescent moons
and sparkle like the stars
My lashes curve like the
swords of warriors
and, through them,
I see kingdoms in the clouds
Joanna Ho ends by having the MC call her eyes a revolution. This book certainly is a revolution. As an educator who used to serve a significant population of Asian American kids in a community center, I sometimes heard the negative ways the students talked about their eyes. I so wish I had, had this book as a read aloud and a book to give away to students who needed it. I’ll certainly be donating copies to that center. Asian kids need this book and other kids do too because of the emphatic way it celebrates a physical feature that isn’t Eurocentric.
Want to read
July 2, 2020July 01, 2020 this cover is sooo cute omg
October 26, 2021
I was in search of picture books for children that depict Asian and African-American children in a positive light. This one was recommended to me by a GR friend, so I got a digital copy from Amazon (freebie.) The book jacket is darling, and the personification in the title is darling, and the author appears ready to let the whole book ride on those two things. The title gets repeated on every page as we review all the other family members that own the same eyes. And friends, that's it. That's the whole thing. I don't look for a tremendous amount of action in a children's book; you want it fairly simple. But this story is just lame; almost inane, in fact. Not on my Christmas shopping list.
January 25, 2021
5/5. I haven’t been this happy to receive a book in the post in a while! And it was great, I already teared up reading the blurb and the book itself is even better. The illustrations are also wonderful!! Definitely recommended.
January 7, 2022
🤩 5 Stunning Stars!
This book was absolutely stunning to read. The words are beautiful and empowering while the artwork is next level beautiful. Loved this book! Definitely recommend to everyone.
This book was absolutely stunning to read. The words are beautiful and empowering while the artwork is next level beautiful. Loved this book! Definitely recommend to everyone.
January 18, 2021
Simply gorgeous. Pause to take in the writing, and then pause to appreciate the illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,634 reviews