Children’s / Teenage social topics: Migration / refugees

Book SynopsisA powerful tale about the magic of memory and the infinite power of the imagination Every kid in Lola's school was from somewhere else. Hers was a school of faraway places. When Lola's teacher asks the students to draw a picture of where their families immigrated from, all the kids are excited. Except Lola. She can't remember the Island – she left when she was just a baby. But with the help of her family and friends, and their memories – joyous, fantastical, heartbreaking, and frightening – Lola's imagination takes her on an extraordinary journey back to The Island. As she draws closer to the heart of her family's story, Lola comes to understand the truth of her abuela's words: 'just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you.' Gloriously illustrated and lyrically written, Islandborn is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and our imagination's boundless ability to connect us – to our families, to our past and to ourselves.Trade Review‘Islandborn engages with many of the same themes that Mr. Díaz has wrestled with in his fiction: immigration and identity, the weight of collective memory, and feelings of displacement and belonging.’ New York Times‘Beautiful and joyous.’ Press Association'With his tenacious, curious heroine and a voice that’s chatty, passionate, wise, and loving, Díaz entices readers to think about a fundamental human question: what does it mean to belong?' Publishers Weekly, starred review‘A sensitive and beautiful story of culture, identity, and belonging — a superb picture book outing for Díaz and one to be shared broadly in a variety of settings.’ School Library Journal‘The exuberant, brightly coloured illustrations are filled with a child’s interpretation of the memories and fill the double-page spreads with details to pore over. This important title will be enjoyed by young children and may spark many significant discussions.’ Booklist'This is an amazing book. It celebrates diversity, tolerance. and belonging. It's a powerful story. A great way to start talking about family backgrounds and belonging. You will ADORE this story.' Liz Gaydon, Waterstones bookseller‘Timely and relevant.’ School Librarian

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith simple, direct questions, thoughtful, compassionate answers and stunning illustrations by the Ukrainian artist Oksana Drachkovska, this book explores what it really means to be a refugee. Written with advice from the Refugee Council and drawing on conversations with refugees and aid workers from around the world, the questions cover all stages of a refugee's journey, from fleeing danger and embarking on hazardous journeys, to seeking asylum and struggling to find a new place to call home. The language and scenes have been carefully considered to be appropriate for younger children, providing an extremely useful educational tool for families and schools.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA poignant story about how children’s play and creativity help children overcome the hardship of moving and changing country and heal one's soul.Danny, Molly and Marcus are three sparkling creative siblings, although each one expresses himself differently. Danny likes music and by singing and playing the guitar he can give voice to his feelings. Mercedes would always be found with a brush in hand, drawing out her emotions. What about Marcus? You see, Marcus is a great writer—he writes down all his thoughts and he can explore his deepest sorrows.One thing that the three very special siblings love is playing together and inventing a thousand different games, but there is something that worries them —soon they will move to a new, safer house in another country. Seeing their parents so sad and watching their house being reduced to boxes breaks their soul. However, they will discover that if they stick together, they will always have a loving home.Trade Review“A well-crafted, engaging book about resilient childhoods in the face of displacement and conflict.” —Kirkus Reviews

Read more less

Book SynopsisA magical story of a Guatemalan girl named Juanita, who loved cooking crunchy maize tortillas and counting stars every night.Juanita lived in Santa Catarina Palopó, a pretty little village next to a beautiful lake, surrounded by three huge volcanoes. She loved her pueblo and their people. Women there helped their families by weaving huipiles from silk, wool, and cotton thread while men worked the land. Juanita wanted to be of help, so she always cooked for her family her favorite meal, tortillas. At night, when the sun cleared the way for the moon to shine bright, Juanita would run onto the roof of the house for her nighttime routine: counting stars. The sky was so clear she could almost touch it.But one day, Juanita’s mom became very ill, and she couldn’t work at her loom. Juanita wanted to help but didn’t know how to. It appears the sky had been listening to her all the time and had a big surprise stored for her…La mágica historia de una niña de Guatemala a la que le encantaba cocinar tortitas de maíz y contar estrellas cada noche.Juanita vivía en Santa Catarina Palopó, un pueblito encantador junto a un hermoso lago, rodeado por tres enormes volcanes. Para ella era el mejor lugar del mundo donde vivía la gente más buena. Las mujeres ayudaban a sus familias tejiendo huipiles de seda, lana e hilo de algodón, mientras los hombres trabajaban la tierra. Juanita quería ser de ayuda, y por eso siempre cocinaba para su familia su plato favorito: tortitas de maíz. Por la noche, cuando el sol se marchaba para abrir paso a la luna, Juanita corría escaleras arriba hacia el ático para su rutina nocturna: contar estrellas. El cielo estaba tan despejado que casi podía tocarlo.Pero un día, la mamá de Juanita se puso muy enferma y no podía trabajar en su telar. Juanita quería ayudar pero no sabía cómo. Al parecer, el cielo la había estado escuchando todo el tiempo y tenía una gran sorpresa preparada para ella…Trade Review“Scent of a traditional tale and a narrative steeped in the climate and nature of that country, edited by Cuento de Luz with elegance and maximum respect for the environment, as always, faithful to stone paper with Cradle to Cradle certificate (a commitment that deserves all the praise and that Cuento de Luz maintains book after book).” —Canal Lector"A beautiful snapshot of Guatemala, with a touch of magic. (…) Illustrations in rich, jewel-toned colors beautifully complement the story. —Kirkus Reviews“This story transits between the wonderful read-aloud stories by the heat of the fire and the simplicity of a story about girls and overcoming. A very detailed text combined with lush illustrations, respecting sustainability. It is published respecting all the environmental norms, and the stone paper used is Cradle to Cradle Certified®.” —Culturamas

Read more less

Book SynopsisA magical story of a Guatemalan girl named Juanita, who loved cooking crunchy maize tortillas and counting stars every night.Juanita lived in Santa Catarina Palopó, a pretty little village next to a beautiful lake, surrounded by three huge volcanoes. She loved her pueblo and their people. Women there helped their families by weaving huipiles from silk, wool, and cotton thread while men worked the land. Juanita wanted to be of help, so she always cooked for her family her favorite meal, tortillas. At night, when the sun cleared the way for the moon to shine bright, Juanita would run onto the roof of the house for her nighttime routine: counting stars. The sky was so clear she could almost touch it.But one day, Juanita’s mom became very ill, and she couldn’t work at her loom. Juanita wanted to help but didn’t know how to. It appears the sky had been listening to her all the time and had a big surprise stored for her…Trade Review“Scent of a traditional tale and a narrative steeped in the climate and nature of that country, edited by Cuento de Luz with elegance and maximum respect for the environment, as always, faithful to stone paper with Cradle to Cradle certificate (a commitment that deserves all the praise and that Cuento de Luz maintains book after book).” —Canal Lector"A beautiful snapshot of Guatemala, with a touch of magic. (…) Illustrations in rich, jewel-toned colors beautifully complement the story. —Kirkus Reviews“This story transits between the wonderful read-aloud stories by the heat of the fire and the simplicity of a story about girls and overcoming. A very detailed text combined with lush illustrations, respecting sustainability. It is published respecting all the environmental norms, and the stone paper used is Cradle to Cradle Certified®.” —Culturamas

Read more less