Quick Look
- A poignant but hopeful view of forced migration and displacement told through the eyes of a child
- Inspired by real-life refugee stories from Venezuela, Eugenia Perrella's lyrical and affecting text gently offers children a glimpse into this difficult subject
- Angela Salerno's striking illustrations bring life and humanity to a subject that is otherwise abstract for most young children
- The core emotional learning message is that home is a concept, not a place -- it's the people and the things that we love, and carry with us in our hearts and minds
- An important and timely book that encourages empathy and understanding
Clara and her family begin a long journey to seek safety. This powerful tale of courage, perseverance and community illustrates how we carry our homes with us, and will help young children understand a refugee's journey.
Description
"We have left our house behind," Papa explains, "but our home is special: it is made from the people we love and the things we love doing."
"Yes," says Mama. "We all carry our special homes with us -- in our backpacks and pockets, and in our hearts."
Clara knew that one day her family would have to leave, just like her aunts and uncles and cousins and so many others. At dawn they join the caravan of people snaking over the hills.
Every day they walk a long way. Sometimes they chat and joke, sometimes they hide and are silent. At night they make a village of tents and Clara visits her new friends to hear about their special homes, the things that light up the darkness for them: Juan's singing, Maria's stories, and Tomas's dominos. For Clara, home is drawing, Mama and Papa, her brother Pedro and Almond the dog.
One night, Clara wishes on a shooting star. She wishes that their long journey will come to an end, and that someday soon she can put down her backpack and find a safe place for her special home to stay.
This is a poignant but hopeful view of forced migration and displacement told through the eyes of a child. Inspired by real-life refugee stories from Venezuela, Eugenia Perrella's lyrical and affecting text and Angela Salerno's striking illustrations gently offer children a glimpse of this important and timely subject, encouraging empathy and understanding.
Author
Eugenia Perrella is a journalist and children's author from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her journalistic speciality is international news and she brings her passion for keeping others informed into her writing for children. Eugenia is the author of more than a dozen children's books.
Angela Salerno is a graphic designer and illustrator originally from Argentina. Her work often highlights social justice issues, such as migration, and she hopes that her books will help build empathy and develop emotional literacy. Angela has illustrated several children's books. She lives in Valencia, Spain.
