Outside Mom, Inside Mom
by Jane Park; illus. by Lenny Wen
Primary    Simon    32 pp.
3/25    9781665929509    $19.99
e-book ed.  9781665929516    $10.99

A child, nervous about the first day at a new school, chooses to wear sneakers instead of a favorite pair of red shoes: “I want to fit in, not stand out.” The child’s mother, a Korean immigrant, wears a plain shirt instead of her usual sparkly top. At school and at the store she runs, people see an “Outside Mom” who’s “so serious” and “doesn’t ask questions.” But the child knows the real “Inside Mom”: chatty, playful, and full of stories. Soon, feeling shy in class, the protagonist also becomes a quiet “Outside Me.” Later, at a family picnic, the child finds comfort in wearing the favorite red shoes and finally seeing “Inside Mom” come to life outdoors: laughing and wearing her sparkly top. This story explores themes of identity, perception, and the immigrant experience, showing how people often present different sides of themselves depending on the context through code-switching. Wen uses a softer, muted color palette to convey the more reserved “outside” moments, while warmer, more vibrant tones reflect the lively, expressive nature of the “inside” versions of the characters. This visual shift deepens the emotional resonance, highlighting the tension between what others see and what lies beneath. While particularly relatable for children of immigrant families, the story will resonate with any child navigating the complexities of fitting in while staying true to oneself.

From the ">May/June 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.