Children's Book Activity: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is a beautiful picture book about a young Asian girl who notices that her eyes look different from many of her classmates. Instead of being big and round, her eyes “kiss in the corners,” just like her mother’s, grandmother’s, and little sister’s. As she describes their eyes, she also shares the love, strength, and heritage that connect them across generations. The story celebrates family, culture, and identity, showing how our features are not only part of who we are, but also gifts we inherit from those who came before us.
When we notice that we have the same eyes, smile, or laugh as an ancestor, it’s more than just biology — it’s a living reminder that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. These features connect us across time, showing us that we carry with us the love, resilience, and identity of those who came before.
When I look in the mirror, I see my dad’s ears, my mum’s face, and my nan’s nose. These are features they once inherited from their own family, and so the pattern continues. My oldest daughter shares the same ears as my dad and me. My boys have the same fingernails as their dad and grandfather. In so many ways, we carry those we love with us. What a privilege it is to see their reflection in our own.
When my second oldest was young, she would ask why she looked different from the rest of us. We all have brown hair and brown eyes, but she has blonde hair and blue eyes. This upset her. She wanted to know where these features came from. One day, while looking at some records of my Great Grandma, I noticed that her features were on this paper. She had blonde hair and blue eyes! I told my daughter, and immediately she felt a connection with this ancestor. I then told her to look at their names. My Great Grandma was named Daisy. My daughter is Lilly. They are both named after flowers. No longer does Lilly wonder if she belongs in our family. She knows who she is and where she came from. She loves that she shares this special connection with her Great Great Grandma Daisy.
Activity: Read Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho. Then, take a moment to look closely at your own features. Do you share any traits with your parents, grandparents, or ancestors? Draw a self-portrait and label the features you share by writing the name of the family member who has that same trait.
Reflection: How does it make you feel to know you look like your family?
Extended activity: Go to FamilySearch and use the Compare a Face feature to see which family member you look the most like.
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