4 Beautiful Picture Books about Refugees
While learning about different countries and cultures, it’s important not to forget the cultures in our own spaces. The backbone of Little World Wanderers is that through learning about other people, we can better teach our children and dismantle bias in our communities.
In our family, we talk about how different people may come to find themselves in different areas of the world. It is important to discuss why families may leave their countries. Recently, we opened up the conversation about refugees. I found these 4 picture books to be beautiful while we have learned about refugees in areas around the world.
Stepping Stones A Refugee Family’s Journey: Margriet Ruurs
This unique book is written in both English and Arabic. In this story, Rama begins telling about playing with her brothers, going to school, and shopping at the market back then. She shares how a war came to her country and there wasn’t enough food, and bombs came to her village. She shares her family’s story of leaving Syria for a safer place. The artwork is absolutely beautiful, made from stones and other elements by Nizar Ali Badr.
Lost and Found Cat: Dog Kuntz and Amy Shrodes
This story follows a mother and her 5 children as they flee Mosul, Iraq. Despite being told by smugglers to only bring what they could carry, a small amount of food and some water, the mother Sura can not leave her families beloved cat Kunkush. This family travels from Iraq, to Turkey, to Greece where Kunkush runs away. This incredible true story has a beautiful ending. We found using a map to be helpful as we tracked the family’s journey to their new home.
The Journey: Francesca Sanna
A mother and her two children leave their country after a war comes and her husband is killed. This book is told from the point of view of one of the children as they leave their home in the middle of the night, hide in forests, cross a border wall, and sail over a sea. The author, Francesca Sanna compiled this book after hearing stories from many refugee people from different countries.
Teacup: Rebecca Young
”Once there was a boy who had to leave his home…and find another” This book alludes to a refugee journey without overtly sharing the hardships of a true story. The illustrations by Matt Ottley are stunning. We found this book to be a good introduction into the idea that there are times where people must leave their homes.
