Eyes that Speak to the Stars (Joanna Ho)

 

This author is just my kind of person....totally woke. Her bio says she has a passion for anti-bias, anti-racism and equity work. This is part of a series. The first book, Eyes that Kiss in the Corners is also profound.

This story made me think of the promise of turning the hearts of the children to their fathers. The boy finds power in realizing he has eyes like his father, grandfather and baby sibling. It made me think about the "Hyde eyes" in our family. That might make a beautiful picture book too.

Goodreads says:

A young Asian boy notices that his eyes look different from his peers' after seeing his friend’s drawing of them. After talking to his father, the boy realizes that his eyes rise to the skies and speak to the stars, shine like sunlit rays, and glimpse trails of light from those who came before—in fact, his eyes are like his father’s, his agong’s, and his little brother’s, and they are visionary.

Inspired by the men in his family, he recognizes his own power and strength from within.

Nothing in Common (Kate Hoefler and Corinna Luyken)

 

This is a message for our time. We are all connected - even though we don't think we are. Beauty can be found in diversity...but we have to get beyond the surface. This may be a kid's book, but I know a swack of adults that need this message. 

The author says, "The dog could do marvelous things. And did. Things they felt under the floors of their hearts." I had to think about that for a while. Maybe she means feelings that we bury? An emotion that we haven't quite figured out yet? 

Together, two people who have nothing in common bring joy to someone. None of them are the same. They each feel alone - but together, they find joy....from heaven.

I don't know Kate Hoefler but Corinna Luyken is a master story teller. She wrote/illustrated The Book of Mistakes and Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse....and more (those are two that I have previously read)

Goodreads says:

Two neighbors both love to watch the old man and his dog from their windows, but they never wave to each other. After all, they have nothing in common. But everything changes when they are the only ones who notice that one day is different—there is the old man, but where is the dog?