Say Hello To “Eyes That Glow Like Warm Tea”

Eyes That Kiss In The Corners [Amazon | Book Depository]

Written by Joanna Ho Illustrated by Dung Ho
Published by HarperCollins (2021)
ISBN: 9780062915627 (ISBN10: 0062915622) Borrowed from Overdrive. Book photos taken by me.

Over the past several months, there has been a growing Anti Asian rhetoric around the world, ostensibly brought about by the chaos and uncertainty wrought by the pandemic.

Many im/migrants are profiled by virtue of their appearance (skin color or facial features) and linguistic patterns. Hence, it is even more urgent to combat both overt and covert (definitely more insidious) forms of racism by providing access to books such as this one to more children and young people everywhere.

A majority of people with Asian ethnic origins (particularly Southeast Asians) are immediately recognizable by their “eyes that kiss in the corners.” Instead of the usual expected derogatory remarks, this book offers an alternative way of perceiving by providing a description that is not only poetic, but also culturally apt.

I also appreciated the strong intergenerational female ancestral line that is celebrated in this narrative: from Amah, to Mama, to young Mei-Mei. There is quiet pride and joy here – and what a revolution it is.