What do you see when you look in the mirror?
Do you see beauty?
We can all learn to embrace the experiences that make us different and unique.
This lyrical picture book written by best-selling author Eva Chen is a beautiful ode to the immigrant experience. Eva Chen is a first generation Chinese American. She celebrates the Chinese girl in this book and teaches her self-love.
“We see eyes that point towards the sun, that gives us the warmth and joy of a thousand rays when you smile. We see hair as inky black and smooth as a peaceful night sky. We see skin brushed with gold.”
We learn of the challenges of missing her ancestors and feeling alone as a new immigrant. We learn about the young girl being called different and at the same time being told that “you all look the same”.
In the end the young girl feels her strength and the power of being different. She can say “I am Golden” and believe it.
Author Eva Chen shares in the author’s note that she wrote this book during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was a rise in anti-Asian sentiment. She notes that this book is a love letter to her parents and a wish for her own children to understand their magic and power.
There is power in being different.
There is a golden flame that’s always with you.
Helps with: understanding the immigrant experience and Chinese heritage, combatting anti-Asian sentiments, self-love, being different, feeling alone, feeling beautiful and empowered.
Author: Eva Chen
Publisher: Fiewel and Friends, 2022