Jane Park's kindhearted and insightful picture book, Outside Mom, Inside Mom, is a tender representation of code-switching within families, dynamically depicted by author/illustrator Lenny Wen (Wolfgang in the Meadow).
On the first day of school, a child chooses to wear sneakers instead of their favorite red shoes: "I want to fit in, not stand out." The kid would like Mom to wear her "sparkly top," but Umma replies, "Not today... I want to look like the mom of a hardworking student." Other adults have quick, unsolicited judgments of Outside Mom: she's "quiet," "so serious," and doesn't "seem to like change." But the child knows that Inside Mom "speaks Korean quickly and loudly," "has a story about everything," asks endless questions, sings, and laughs. Most of all, "change" has defined her life since leaving her family, friends, homeland, and language "to live in a new country." As the child struggles to adjust to an unfamiliar new classroom, they realize they're "not like myself," but rather "an Outside Me." That night, Umma's encouragement gives both child and parent the courage to choose red shoes and sparkly garb the next morning.
Park (Juna's Jar) deftly recognizes how the pressure to assimilate diminishes individuality in immigrant families. She highlights Umma's sacrifice and unconditional love, while honoring wholly Korean moments by not translating certain words ("jamot" for pajamas). Wen's whimsical illustrations also underscore Umma's polyglot adaptability, with freely inserted Korean script and phrases. The artist nimbly highlights myriad emotions throughout her charming gouache and colored pencil art, gloriously celebrating the child's joy "when I get to see Inside Mom... OUTSIDE." --Terry Hong