This week is Refugee week ( 18th June – 24th June) and there is no better way to bring about awareness about this terrible issue than through a book.
Refugees are a real, current and terrible problem that we have in our world and possibly one that will get worse if war continues, water rises in low lying islands of the world and famine ravages nations.
We need to help educate our children so that they feel empathy towards these people who just seek safety in a new land where they too can live a peaceful and happy life.
However – many of these picture books and Young adult fiction are confronting so tread with care as you read. Be prepared to talk about what happens in the story so your child feels hope that something can be done to help the future.
Here are a few great books that I have come across:
Out by Angela May George (Published by Scholastic Australia) is a sad yet heartwarming story about a young refugee girl who has settled in a new country with her mother.
This beautiful story follows how the girls feels in her new home and the fears she still faces because of what she has been through.
Flight is a confronting story about a young family fleeing from their home in search of refuge.
Drawn in shades of black and brown the images add to the feelings of unknown these travelers must be experiencing. It is dark and fearful but throughout the pages we see hope.
The story begins like that of the Christian Christmas story – a small family leaving there home town in search of safety: following the stars and riding on a donkey, but as we read along we discover this is a small Muslim family who are escaping their war torn home.
This book is one that needs to be read to older children with reflection and questioning.
I’m Australian too by Mem Fox and Rhonojoy Ghosh
Throughout the story we hear about families from Ireland, Italy, China and Syria. We meet the ancestors of the first people of Australia and also the refugees who are still waiting to be a part of Australia.
Mem Fox celebrates the diversity of Australia and the friendliness of the community through children’s eyes. Rhyme is used along with the thought provoking repetitive question:
Book reviews to come
The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillion
Home and Away by John Marsden
And some books I would love to review when I have the time!
Refugees by David Miller
Four feet two sandals
The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Great resources from the Refugee week page are available from this link
