Eyes That Speak to the Stars

When Baba sees the sadness in his son’s eyes, he knows something is wrong. The young boy tells his father that a classmate drew a picture of him, and he was the only one with “eyes like two lines stretched across his face.” Baba teaches his child that his eyes are special just like his; they “rise to the skies and speak to the stars.” They can even foresee the future. He suddenly realizes they’ll give him the wisdom his grandfather has—knowledge that has been collected over the course of generations. This is a poignant story about love, acceptance, and self-assurance. It’s also about ethnicity, culture, and wisdom. Children ages five to nine who feel they are different from others, because they’re part of a minority or for other reasons of significance, will be deeply touched by this book. Those who are culturally sensitive will as well. It’s beautifully written, threaded with symbolism, and laced with figurative language.

“The voices of ancestors whisper in his ear, speaking in lilting languages of rice paddies climbing mountains like stairways to the sky” is just one example of the author’s artistry. Additionally, the illustrations are gorgeous and rich in quality, making this a genuine masterpiece.