The world can feel a daunting place at times and many children will have heard about the war in Ukraine. Some of these children may be part of, or know a family that has been kind enough to open their doors to people fleeing their home country in search of somewhere safe. Explaining why this happens without overwhelming kids can be tough and so to help encourage this important conversation we want to recommend some of our favourite reads about the immigration and refugee ordeal.
The Wall in the Middle of the Book
In this timeless tale battling notions of prejudice and preconception, a little knight is glad the wall in the middle of the book keeps him safe from the ogre on the other side – until a big flood on his side means he needs the ogre to rescue him! Suddenly he discovers a wonderful new world.
The Name Jar
Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what happens when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious about fitting in. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she decides to choose an American name from a glass jar. But while Unhei thinks of being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, nothing feels right. With the help of a new friend, Unhei will learn that the best name is her own.
Dreamers
Dreamers is a celebration of making your home with the things you always carry: your resilience, your dreams, your hopes and history. It’s the story of finding your way in a new place, of navigating an unfamiliar world and finding the best parts of it. In dark times, it’s a promise that you can make better tomorrows.
When Stars Are Scattered
Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn’t always easy. The hunger is constant . . . but there’s football to look forward to, and now there’s a chance Omar will get to go to school . . .
With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, this incredible true story is brought to life by stunning illustrations.
We Are All Born Free
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed on 10th December 1948. It was compiled after World War Two to declare and protect the rights of all people from all countries. This beautiful collection, published 60 years on, celebrates each declaration with an illustration by an internationally-renowned artist or illustrator and is the perfect read for children and adults alike.
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
This semi-autobiographical classic, written by the beloved Judith Kerr, tells the story of a Jewish family escaping Germany in the days before the Second World War.
Suppose your country began to change. Suppose that without your noticing, it became dangerous for some people to live in it any longer, and you found, to your surprise, that your own father was one of those people.
Drita, My Homegirl
Fleeing war-torn Kosovo, Drita and her family move to America with the dream of living a typical American life. But with this hope comes the struggle to adapt and fit in. How can Drita find her place at school and in her new neighborhood when she doesn’t speak any English?
Meanwhile, Maxie and her group of fourth-grade friends are popular in their class, and make an effort to ignore Drita. So when their teacher puts Maxie and Drita together for a class project, things get off to a rocky start. But sometimes, when you least expect it, friendship can bloom and overcome even a vast cultural divide.
On the Move: Poems About Migration
Michael Rosen and Sir Quentin Blake join forces for a landmark collection, focusing on migration and displacement. Michael’s poems are divided into four: in the first series, he draws on his childhood as part of a first-generation Polish family living in London; in the second, on his perception of the War as a young boy; in the third, on his “missing” relatives and the Holocaust; and in the fourth, and final, on global experiences of migration.
We All Belong
We all Belong’ is a beautifully written and illustrated children’s picture book that recognises and celebrates the diversity in a caring group of children. A wonderfully flowing, rhyming poem about respect… whatever our culture, whatever the colour of our skin.
The Boy At the Back of the Class
Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child’s perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense.