Finding Home: Words from Kids Seeking Sanctuary
by Gwen Agna and Shelley Rotner; photos by Shelley Rotner
Preschool, Primary    Clarion/HarperCollins    32 pp.
1/24    9780063304178    $19.99

There are many reasons why people seek sanctuary. Some families are uprooted because of war or economic hardship. This book addresses these situations and also alerts readers to the growing number of families who need sanctuary because of environmental or climate changes. The text sets up the premise that many people have “to escape—fleeing fires, floods, drought, or war—because it’s not safe for them to stay anymore.” Stunning photographs of individual children, intergenerational relatives, and friends immediately catch the eye with bright colors, varied moods, and engaged expressions, presenting a truly global and inclusive representation of childhood and family. The photos are punctuated by quotes from the children (set in speech bubbles) about why they left their homes and about their experiences acclimating to their new lives. The book touches on the experience of leaving home amidst an emergency, arduous travel with many temporary stops before finding a safer home, and cultural and language barriers, as well as new friendships, an appreciation for the traditions of home, and the discovery of new interests such as art, athletics, or music. Appended with resources for parents, caregivers, educators, and children, this accessible volume is an affirmation of survival and a resource for helping others.

From the January/February 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.