5 stars
What a wonderful way to teach an important lesson. When Amera has a bad day and uses unkind words, her mother suggests tasting her words before she says them, which opens Amera to the power of words.
Inspired by Proverbs 16:24, “Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body” (which is featured on a decoration in the background and in part on the back cover), this story helps young readers visualize the importance of attending to their words. While the Proverbs quote is featured in an illustration, the book does not push a specific religion so I do feel it can be read by all. Those interested could expand the lesson based on the quote but it can also be read for the lesson the quote teaches rather than its religious components.
The illustrations are fun and adorable. I really enjoyed the style. Amera tastes both good and bad things while figuring out her words and the visuals for this are wonderful. The visual form makes the lesson more fun and engaging for young readers.
I also appreciated the ending in which Amera’s mom slips and doesn’t taste her words before she says them. It’s a nice reminder that we all need to work on being kinder and thinking before speaking. It also shows that it’s okay to mess up and that life is a continuous learning experience.
A wonderful read with a great lesson told in a way that is fun and highly visual. The lesson of “taste your words” can act as a continuous reminder for children (and adults) to help them be more kind and mindful in how they speak to others.