A gentle, uplifting story of facial difference, self-acceptance, and the impact of friendship.
—Booklist
Kiddos can take inspiration from Toto to help them work through their own insecurities.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Yum finds words for myriad feelings around embodiment, giving readers language to consider their own experiences and imagine others’.
—Publishers Weekly
A sweet, uplifting take on facial difference, friendship, and self-acceptance.
—Kirkus Reviews
Despite loving support from family who ascribe positive meaning to the birthmark—it means she has superpowers, or that an angel kissed her, and it is her grandmother’s favorite spot to kiss—the girl can tell that “sometimes people only see Toto, not me.” Yum’s limited palette of sepia, gray, black, and white in the mixed-media illustrations effectively reflects this worry by contrasting with the pink of the birthmark, making it stand out.
—The Horn Book
Toto is an it’s-okay-to-be-different book that leaves room for realistically mixed feelings about standing apart.
—Shelf Awareness
Yum’s pleasing colored pencil and watercolor style is present here, and her talent for minimalistic expression shines through the limited color palette. . . . A unique addition to any collection.
—School Library Journal
QUICK VIEW
