Review of My Mother’s Tongues: A Weaving of Languages by Uma Menon

Authors

Merry Moon Hkawn, Cedarville University

Publisher

Candlewick Press

City

Somerville, Massachusetts, United States of America

Date of Publication

2024

ISBN

9781536222517

Date of Review

2025

Disciplines

Library and Information Science | Modern Literature

Keywords

Children's literature, reviews, multilingualism, Malayalam, heritage

Review

This beautiful lyrical picture book celebrates the beauty of multilingualism and cultural identity. Narrated by young Sumi, the story highlights her mother’s ability to move between Malayalam, the language of her heritage, and English, the language of her daily life in the U.S. The text illustrates how languages shape identity and require preservation through the use of rich metaphors, such as those of muscle and weaving. This idea is furthered by the colorful, textile-inspired illustrations, which show language as something living and interconnected. Although the story is not plot-driven, its strength lies in themes of family, heritage, and the power of multilingualism. It is truly a meaningful book that can inspire conversations about language, culture, and belonging, not only for young children but also for readers of all ages. Highly Recommended Merry Moon Hkawn, Centennial Library Intern, Cedarville University

Recommended Citation

Hkawn, Merry Moon, "Review of My Mother’s Tongues: A Weaving of Languages by Uma Menon" (2025). Library Intern Book Reviews. 444.
https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/intern_book_reviews/444

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Author Type

Students