This is the kind of book that should be in every home and classroom library. Joanna Ho has created something rare: a picture book that's both achingly beautiful and developmentally crucial.

For Asian and Asian-American families, this is essential reading—it names and validates an experience many kids have (noticing their eyes look different, wondering if that's okay) and transforms it into celebration. For all families, it's a masterclass in how to talk about differences without making them deficits.

The poetic language elevates this beyond typical self-esteem books. 'Eyes that kiss in the corners' and 'glow like warm tea' aren't just pretty phrases—they're teaching kids to see beauty in unexpected ways and think metaphorically about identity.

The only caveat: this isn't a quick bedtime read. The lyrical text deserves slow reading and discussion. But that's a feature, not a bug. This is a book you'll return to over and over as your kid grows and understands new layers.