My Mother’s Tongues: A Weaving of Languages
by Uma Menon; illus. by Rahele Jomepour Bell
Primary    Candlewick    32 pp.
2/24    9781536222517    $18.99

Sumi’s mother switches effortlessly between Malayalam, a regional language from Kerala, India, and English. She speaks Malayalam to Sumi’s grandmother, a mix of English and Malayalam to Sumi, and English to others outside the family. Sumi reflects on how her mother’s two languages are “woven together like a fine cloth.” She knows her mother worked hard to develop proficiency in English, but when she moved to America, unfamiliar words and phrases made her “two tongues” feel like they “were twisted into pretzels.” As Sumi travels between America and India, she too works hard to learn two languages and connect with those around her. In awe of this apparent “superpower,” she hopes to learn many more languages in order to “speak with people who live in every part of the world.” 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 diverse cast of characters with a variety of skin tones underscores the focus on multilingualism and multiculturalism. A thought-provoking look at the connecting power of language.

From the January/February 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.