I don’t remember the exact details of the first time kids teased me about my small eyes, but I can remember the confusion and shame I felt. Shame for being myself. For being a Vietnamese American.
It wasn’t until I was much older that I learned to love my eyes and my heritage.
But our children don’t have to wait that long. Their friends won’t be taught to tease others for their differences. And if they do, there’s a book that will help kids of AAPI background take pride in how they look.
Every child, no matter how their eyes look, need a copy of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho. (affiliate link)
This book is absolutely beautiful. The words are lyrical and magical. My favorite line is:
My eyes that kiss in the corners and
glow like warm tea
are a revolution.
My heart swelled with pride as I read this book. Though I’m Vietnamese and not Taiwanese like the author, I saw myself and my family on the pages of this book. (The illustrator is Vietnamese!).
Buy it for your kids, your nieces & nephews, and for your friends’ baby showers.
Grab a copy of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho.
You won’t regret it.
I received a copy of the book for review.