MY MOTHER'S TONGUES by Uma Menon - Booklist Review

Booklist | February 1, 2024

My Mother's Tongues: A Weaving of Languages.

By Uma Menon. Illus. by Rahele Jomepour Bell

Feb. 2024. 32p. Candlewick, $18.99 (9781536222517). K–Gr. 3

Sumi is a young child whose mother “speaks with two tongues,” smoothly navigating between Malayalam and English. Malayalam is her mom’s first language, which she learned growing up in Kerala, India. In school, she learned English starting at age 12, later immigrating to the U.S. as an adult. Her two tongues are woven together seamlessly: she speaks Malayalam with Sumi’s grandmother, a blend of both to Sumi, and easily switches to English with the grocery store cashier. Sumi acknowledges that everyone has an accent and that “every person’s voice is unique and important.” Other members of Sumi’s family also have multiple tongues. Sumi aspires to develop a superpower language tapestry of her own, which will allow her to “speak with people who live in every part of the world.” 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.

— Van McGary