Outside Mom, inside Mom

A child, nervous about the first day at a new school, chooses to wear sneakers instead of a favorite pair of red shoes: "I want to fit in, not stand out." The child's mother, a Korean immigrant, wears a plain shirt instead of her usual sparkly top. At school and at the store she runs, people see an "Outside Mom" who's "so serious" and "doesn't ask questions." But the child knows the real "Inside Mom": chatty, playful, and full of stories. Soon, feeling shy in class, the protagonist also becomes a quiet "Outside Me." Later, at a family picnic, the child finds comfort in wearing the favorite red shoes and finally seeing "Inside Mom" come to life outdoors: laughing and wearing her sparkly top. This story explores themes of identity, perception, and the immigrant experience, showing how people often present different sides of themselves depending on the context through code-switching. Wen uses a softer, muted color palette to convey the more reserved "outside" moments, while warmer, more vibrant tones reflect the lively, expressive nature of the "inside" versions of the characters. This visual shift deepens the emotional resonance, highlighting the tension between what others see and what lies beneath. While particularly relatable for children of immigrant families, the story will resonate with any child navigating the complexities of fitting in while staying true to oneself. Weileen WangMay/June 2025 p.68 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A child of Korean descent realizes that not everyone sees things the same way. Nervous about starting a new school, the young narrator dons sneakers rather than a favorite pair of eye-catching red shoes ("I want to fit in, not stand out"). Mom understands; she's eschewed a sparkly top today. At school, the child notices that others have very different conceptions of Mom. "Your mom is so quiet," another parent says. "Your mom is so serious," says Principal Pat. The child charmingly debunks each observation. "Outside Mom" may be quiet, but "Inside Mom" is anything but. While many see Mom as a serious, down-to-earth, rigid presence, a different side of her emerges: a chatty, prank-loving woman who once bravely uprooted her life to emigrate to a new home. The young protagonist can relate, soon withdrawing after feeling uncertain in this unfamiliar classroom: "I become quiet…Like an Outside Me." But Mom reassures the child, who in turn cherishes those few moments when Inside Mom reveals herself outside the house, such as when they meet up with friends. Offering a thought-provoking lesson in perception, Park has crafted a balanced and sensitive look at an immigrant family's experience, delightfully lightening her energetic narrative with moments of comedy. Wen deftly uses cooler colors to portray scenes of Outside Mom while employing a warmer palette for the expressive and boisterous Inside Mom. Warm, insightful, and tender.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.