Review by Booklist Review
This companion to Eyes That Kiss in the Corners (2021) and Eyes That Speak to the Stars (2022) explores transracial adoption. A young Asian girl notes that her eyes differ from those of the rest of her (white) family. Mama has eyes like ocean waves, while Dad's resemble a summer garden. Through them, she sees "a world full of wonder, a world that made us a family." Despite being clearly doted upon, the child still wonders about her birth mother, whose eyes "kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea. Just like mine." Lyrical language explores the emotional bonds that bind the girl to both her birth mother and her adoptive parents. She reflects upon keepsakes from her (unspecified) homeland and poses possible explanations for being put up for adoption: "sometimes love must look like letting go." Dung Ho's colorful, upbeat illustrations reflect the joy and closeness this child feels with her surroundings. In addition to vividly depicted eyes, Ho employs rainbows, red-crested birds, and traditional clothing suggestive of Korea. An uplifting family portrait.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: This series of picture books has reached best-seller status, so expect insta-love for this new addition.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3--Siu gently begins with coauthor Kleinrock's "Dear Reader" letter that asks, "When was the first time you saw yourself represented in a book?" and self-answers, "Never"--until she and Ho created this one together. Siu's is a tender performance, softly capturing the lyrical verses of a Korean child's transracial adoption, both "joyful and painful, often at the same time." In family pictures, "Everyone [is] matching in every way… Except me." The little girl is obviously nurtured and beloved, but she still contemplates "who and where and why and what if and what happened" to transplant her from her birth mother and birth country: "All I know for sure…sometimes love must look like letting go." Comforted by "trinkets that traveled with me between lives," the girl's eyes connect her to past and present, encouraging her to "spin stories and weave the world's wonders." VERDICT Siu underscores Ho and Kleinrock's celebration of family with heartfelt resonance.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young Korean adoptee finds a sense of connection. The unnamed young narrator reflects on the annual family portrait. Everyone is in "matching clothes and matching shoes and matching laughter." Yet there's one distinct feature that doesn't match: "No one in my family has eyes like mine." As the protagonist and Mom, a white woman, explore an art museum, the child observes how Mom's blue eyes are "like ocean waves." Mom's gaze makes it clear that the little one is "a masterpiece." Next, the protagonist goes fishing with Dad, a white man with hazel eyes and brown hair and beard. Amid the idyllic river setting, the two get their lines tangled. Yet Dad's eyes "tell me it will be okay. Some knots bind us with bonds more visible than blood." Despite these close familial ties, the child wonders about meeting "someone who has eyes that kiss in the corner and glow like warm tea. Just like mine." The lyrical narrative follows the child through explorations of fragmented memories from before the protagonist was adopted. The authors briefly touch on the complex feelings and questions of "who," "what if," and "why." Ho's richly detailed illustrations match the narrative by using warm colors and imagery that blend into one another. Eventually the child weaves together dreams and stories, finding beauty in connections to a birth parent. A striking adoption tale that opens space for larger questions and feelings. (note from Kleinrock) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
