My Mother's Tongues: A Weaving of Languages

A charming ode to the joy of learning new languages.

A thought-provoking look at the connecting power of language.

An uplifting story that promotes understanding and connection through language.

K-Gr 3—A young girl extols the virtues of multilingualism in this exquisite picture book by teenage human rights and social justice activist Menon. While not ignoring the challenges presented to new immigrants navigating outsider status, in Menon's telling of her family's story, she takes a strength-based approach. She describes her mother as having "two tongues." She learned Malalyalam in her native Kerala and English, at age 12, prior to moving to the United States. The mother is mostly depicted as an adult through the eyes of her child, seamlessly transitioning between languages based on context, "hopping" from one to the other, her "two tongues woven together like cloth." The young narrator explains that languages are like muscles, needing practice and exercise and that "a person's accent holds hints about what their first language might be or where they might be from." This framing is refreshing and will serve as validation to readers from multilingual families; it serves to illuminate multilingualism to those experiencing the story from an outsider's perspective. The metaphors of weaving and tapestries are reflected in the impeccable and unique illustrations by Bell. Her mixed-media style incorporates elements of prints and textured fabric, further elevating her normally playful style with gorgeous textiles. VERDICT This story is an essential mirror and window, serving as a reminder that language is a superpower.—Clara Hendricks

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Though my mother speaks with two tongues, I can see only one in her mouth. That's because the two... are now woven together like fine cloth. The seams are invisible." Using explanatory prose, Menon details how young Sumi's mother, born in Kerala, speaks Malayalam as well as the English she learned at school in India and after moving to America. Sumi, born in America, also speaks both languages. While visiting a store, Sumi's mother speaks English with a cashier, and a blend of languages when speaking to Sumi: "The languages hop, like rabbits, from her tongue." Further pages describe how "each language is like a muscle," note that "the more languages I learn and practice... the stronger my brain will become," and underline the idea that "no matter how they speak, every person's voice is unique and important." Employing canvas and quilted textures, Jomepour Bell emphasizes the theme of weaving throughout this informative celebration of multilingualism. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4-8. (Feb.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

The illustrations, which mimic tapestries, are a clever companion to the text, which often invokes a weaving metaphor to explain the feeling of bi- and multilingualism. . . it conveys an essential message about the power of language, and the lyrical narratorial voice beautifully balances curiosity and playfulness. A charming ode to the joy of learning new languages.
—Kirkus Reviews

The narration sparks with emotion and imagery. . . this is a cheerful portrayal of diverse connections, and readers who speak one language at home and another in public will value a book that celebrates that as a skill rather than something that sets them apart from English-only speaking classmates.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Menon's respectful story highlights the power of multilingualism and examines the link between accents and identity. Bell's tactile mixed-media illustrations incorporate an inventive representation of textiles, fonts, and images reflecting each locale, from a scene of boating in Kerala to a snowy day in America. . . . A thought-provoking look at the connecting power of language.
—The Horn Book

The textured mixed-media illustrations reflect the textile metaphors of multilingualism in the narrative. The visual depiction of language, including words and swirls as well as diverse facial features and cultural details, enhances the inclusive messaging. An uplifting story that promotes understanding and connection through language.
—Booklist