This is a beautiful story that should be in every home and school library. Books like this may help to have productive discussions about self-acceptance, racism, and anti-bullying from an early age. Teaching children to accept people for who they are and what they look like may help mold young, impressionable minds to be more accepting and empathetic of others.
Unfortunately, many Asian Americans are still facing racist attacks, both verbal and physical – just for being Asian. How sad is it that the shape of someone else’s eyes (or the color of their skin) is enough to make some people dislike them immediately? When others reduce your entire identity to a simple facial feature like your eyes, it can have lasting and harmful psychological effects. No one likes feeling left out, especially kids who are learning to discover where they fit into the world.
To every Asian who has ever been bullied, you are not alone. You are seen, heard, and worthy. People should not be ridiculed for the shape of their eyes, the color of their skin, or for any other reason. Forgive yourself if you’ve let negative remarks make you think you needed to “fix” everything that bullies said was ugly and weird. Understand that you don’t need to look like the Eurocentric standard of beauty to be liked or loved or to “fit in”. Ignore the hateful remarks and hurtful comments. Continue to hold your head high and look to the stars. For your eyes are magical, powerful, and beautiful. “Your eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars.”
Eyes That Speak to the Stars is recommended for ages 4 – 8 and up. This book publishes on February 15, 2022, but can be pre-ordered now.
Read my review of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners here!
Have you read the companion book, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners? Sound off in the comments!
