Eyes That Kiss in the Cornersis a 2021 picture book by Joanna Ho, published by HarperCollins on January 5, 2021, as her debut work.[1]Ho aimed to show the beauty of East Asian eyes while also showing that everyone is beautiful. A sequel titledEyes That Speak to the Starswas published in February 2022.
 Book cover | |
| Author | Joanna Ho |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Dung Ho |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
Publication date | January 5, 2021 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Picture book |
| Pages | 40 |
| ISBN | 9780062915627 |
| Followed by | Eyes That Speak to the Stars |
Plot
editA Chinese American girl thinks of how her eyes are not the same as those around her. She thinks about her family's eyes such as her mother's sparkling like sunlight and her grandmother's eyes having the ability to look far into her heart despite her eyes not working as well as they used to. Chinese culture and its landscapes are included within the story.[2]
Publication
edit
Ho aimed to publish a picture book that showed the other side of beauty not shown in western media which tends to focus on a narrow view of beauty. She wanted to write it as a picture book that showed not just physical beauty in relation to East Asian eyes, but the power those of East Asian heritage have to makes changes in the world.[1]Ho edited and revised the book for years andDung HoofHarperCollinscompleted the illustrations. After being published in January 2021, 8,000 print copies were sold during its first week of release. NPD BookScan reported in February 2021 that more than 21,000 copies have been sold in print..[1]Ho was pregnant with a girl and had a two-year-old son while she was working on the first draft.[1]She is a vice principal at a high school.[3]Ho said, "Ultimately, this isn’t just a story about physical appearances, but a story of how appearances are passed down and what they can represent: family, history, culture, relationships, love." The book's editor Clarissa Wong said that she wished she had the book when she was a child and that she did not accept her eyes until she was in her early 20s. Wong said that the book is for every audience with what it means to be beautiful and that "it was one of the books I acquired the quickest, from it hitting my inbox to bringing it to acquisition and making an offer".[1]Ho previously received a rejection every so often while her agent advised Ho to continue her positivity.[3]A sequel titledEyes That Speak to the Starswas published on February 15, 2022.[4]
Reception
editEyes That Kiss in the Cornersis aNew York TimesandIndieBoundbest seller.[5]
The book was generally well-received by critics, including starred reviews fromBooklist,[6]Kirkus Reviews,[5]andSchool Library Journal.[7]
Lydia Mulvany, writing forBooklist,said, "The writing, enhanced by warm, bold illustrations, is a powerful exercise in learning to see beauty in what’s different."[6]Kirkus Reviewswrote, "This tale of self-acceptance and respect for one’s roots is breathtaking."[5]Mary Lanni concluded in theSchool Library Journalthat the text and illustrations inEyes That Kiss in the Cornersare "expertly paired" and "amplify each other superbly."[7]
Michael Genhart of theNew York Journal of Bookssaid, "A gorgeous book with an inspiring point of view: treasure your uniqueness, your relationships, and your place in the world."[8]Publishers Weeklycalled the book "a poignant testament to familial love and legacy. "[9]
Kirkus ReviewsnamedEyes That Kiss in the Cornersone of the best children's books of 2021.[5]
| Year | Award/Honor | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Goodreads Choice Award for Best Middle Grade & Children's | Nominee | [10] |
| 2022 | ALSC's Notable Children's Books | Selection | [11][12] |
| 2022 | Rise: A Feminist Book Project | Selection | [13] |
| 2022 | SCBWI Golden Kite Awardfor Picture Book Text | Winner | [14] |
References
edit- ^abcdeYung, Sarah (February 25, 2021)."'Eyes That Kiss in the Corners': A Bestseller with an Empowering Focus ".Publishers Weekly.RetrievedMarch 6,2022.
- ^"Eyes That Kiss in the Corners".Kirkus Reviews.October 13, 2020.RetrievedMarch 6,2022.
- ^abEgan, Elisabeth Egan (June 6, 2021)."Joanna Ho Knows the Virtue of Patience. She's a High School Vice Principal".New York Times.RetrievedMarch 6,2022.
- ^"Eyes That Speak to the Stars".Kirkus Reviews.November 16, 2021.RetrievedMarch 6,2022.
- ^abcd"Eyes That Kiss in the Corners".Kirkus Reviews.2020-10-13.Retrieved2023-02-20.
- ^abMulvany, Lydia (February 12, 2021)."Eyes That Kiss in the Corners".Booklist.Retrieved2023-02-20.
- ^abLanni, Mary (December 1, 2020)."Eyes That Kiss in the Corners".School Library Journal.RetrievedMarch 6,2022.
- ^Genhart, Michael."Eyes That Kiss in the Corners".New York Review of Books.RetrievedMarch 6,2022.
- ^"Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho".Publishers Weekly.2020-12-03.Retrieved2023-02-20.
- ^"Eyes that Kiss in the Corners".Goodreads.Retrieved2023-02-20.
- ^"Eyes That Kiss in the Corner".Booklist.March 15, 2022.Retrieved2023-02-20.
- ^"2022 Notable Children's Books".Association for Library Service to Children(ALSC).2023-02-01.Retrieved2023-02-20.
- ^"2022 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List".American Library Association.2022-01-27.Retrieved2023-02-20.
- ^"SCBWI Announces Golden Kite Winners".Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.Retrieved2023-02-20.