Toto

Gr 2-4–Readers don’t learn the name of the main character; Toto is actually the name of the pink birthmark above her right eye. Her family raises her to be proud of her birthmark, but some people make her feel self-conscious. When she starts school, her mother cuts her hair to hide Toto; however, she is embarrassed when her hair sweeps up and her new friend sees it. Sweetly, her new friend loves it, and the main character decides not to hide Toto anymore. The text is complex, comprised of the narrator’s internal thoughts, her questions to herself, and dialogue with her new friend. Most pages include multiple sentences, and some extend to a second page. Yum’s pleasing colored pencil and watercolor style is present here, and her talent for minimalistic expression shines through the limited color palette. The color scheme echoes Juana Martinez-Neal’s Alma and How She Got Her Name, with most of the art in shades of grays and light browns. The only bright color is pink: Toto is pink, and the narrator’s face flushes pink when she is embarrassed, nervous, and scared. The text also tells readers the importance of this color in indicating the character’s mood. Back matter includes an author’s note.