"Still, you gather up your courage,
that first day of school.
Lifting your chin,
you step through the door.
Instantly, many heads turn toward you,
their eyes seem to study you.
Your stomach stirs,
palms grow cold,
knees turn mushy."
What a heartwarming, and yet also heartbreaking, way to show readers the reality of the refugee experience for many. Three young children are introduced, and their journeys to safety in faraway lands portrayed in exceptional digital artwork created using graphite. The first leaves a grandmother in a Tibetan highland home. The second leaves a cozy Syrian home surrounded by cotton fields, following many others who are doing the same. The third escapes a beloved Ukrainian city in the wake of bombing that is leaving it in ruins.
"No matter where you started,
leaving was hard - so was that journey.
And you finally reached safety,
you were hungry, thirsty, worn-out.
Ready for rest."
That rest came first in a refugee camp. Then, travel to a new land happened on a plane, a boat, and a bus. All the while, hearts were filled with hope for a better life in a strange new place. It was all so different - language, noise, everything unfamiliar, school, food. Still, there are those who know what to say, what to do, how to help make things better - a friend or friends.
"Day by day, little by little,
as the new becomes known,
you meet other children just like you."
The telling is so quiet and meaningful for readers, allowing a chance to develop empathy and compassion for the children they are meeting. The illustrations perfectly match the story's tone, offering readers the opportunity to sense the fear, and feel the emotions of each refugee child. There is such joy in the welcome they experience because of the children they meet who show interest, kindness, and patience. That is what most kids do, when given the chance.
No comments:
Post a Comment