Refugees face tremendous challenges as they flee their homes and start over somewhere new. I’m thrilled to partner with Amazon Crossing to bring you this blog post about a special picture book called The Refuge and offer you the chance to win a copy. Two lucky blog readers will receive a copy of this picture book. At the bottom of this post, you’ll find a few ideas on how to help refugees in your area.
The Refuge is a lovely picture book that combines friendship, astronomy, and the unique struggles that refugees face. When Jeannette befriends a new girl named Iliana at school, it opens up a wonderful friendship. Both girls love gazing at the sky and learning about stars and comets. The language barrier between the two girls is easily overcome with gestures and crayons. Jeannette learns that Iliana is a refugee from another country. She and her family had to leave their home when war forced them out.
This is a heartfelt picture book about a girl who has gone through terrifying things to find safety. It reminds me a bit of Bear and Fred in both theme and tone. While it deals with a serious subject, the story is handled in a way that children will be able to understand. This lovely book takes a look at the lives of refugees after they’ve found safety and the challenges they still face. In addition to drawing a portrait of modern refugees, this book is also a wonderful story about the gift of friendship, kindness, and understanding. Young readers will learn that no matter where a person comes from, they can find common ground with them.
If you’re looking for a good book to teach children about refugees, be sure to pick this one up. It’s a heartfelt and hopeful story that kids can relate to.
Keep reading to learn more about the book, enter the giveaway to win a copy, and learn what you can do to help refugees in your area!
About the Book
The Refuge by Sandra le Guen, illustrated by Stéphane Nicolet, translated by Daniel Hahn
A story about finding refuge in a new friendship and a new home.
“There’s a new girl at school. She never stops looking up at the sky! She likes the stars and comets.”
Jeannette tells her mom about her new classmate, who also loves astronomy but seems sad. She realizes it’s not easy to move to a new place. So the next day, at recess, Jeannette asks Iliana to play.
At first, it was a little hard to communicate because Iliana is learning a new language. The girls have to use their hands and their drawings. But they keep trying, and, soon, Iliana tells Jeannette about her difficult journey as a refugee who had to leave her country. Then their families meet, and Iliana’s parents share their stories too. The girls’ friendship blooms, as limitless as the sky and their imaginations.
Originally published in France and brought to life with wonderfully expressive artwork, this is a book about sharing stories and finding refuge in friendship, family, and a new home.
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The People Behind the Book
The Author:
Sandra le Guen is the author of numerous picture books and novels in France. She created a photo exhibition around her writing process and her perception of the world: I write, I create? Learn more online at www.sandraleguen.blogspot.
The Artist:
Stéphane Nicolet was born in Burgundy and still lives in France. He has illustrated many nonfiction titles and is now exploring comics and fiction. He has also written and illustrated a children’s cookbook.
The Translator:
Daniel Hahn is an author, editor, and award-winning translator. He recently translated Along the Tapajós, written and illustrated by Fernando Vilela. In 2017, Hahn helped establish the TA First Translation Prize, a new prize for debut literary translation. Learn more online at www.danielhahn.co.uk.
How to Help Refugees
Are you interested in helping refugees in your area? Here are a few ideas for how you can get involved and help people who have had to flee their homes and seek safety in a new place. Before you donate or volunteer, make sure the organization you are supporting is legitimate.
1. Donate goods to refugee programs.
Many organizations and churches need donations of clothing, food, toiletries, furniture, and school supplies for refugees. Do a Google search for organizations in your area. Most organizations will have a list of needed items on their website.
2. Donate money to organizations that help refugees.
Whether it’s for legal council, food, housing, or medicine, money is always a needed resource. Make sure you only donate to reputable organizations that you trust. Some organizations claim to help refugees, but end up keeping the majority of donated money for themselves. But there are plenty of legitimate programs that work hard to help refugees and that need financial donations.
3. Volunteer to work with refugees.
There are many opportunities to volunteer with programs and organizations that help refugees. Whether it’s sorting donations, teaching English, or doing administrative tasks, volunteering is a rewarding way to help refugees. Go to JustServe.org and type in your ZIP code to find service opportunities in your area. Not everything on that website is for refugees, but it’s a good place to start.
4. Be a friend to a refugee.
Coming to a new country is hard and refugees could use a friendly face. Being a friend to a refugee can help ease their transition to their new home. You can make a big difference simply by inviting someone over for dinner or having their child over for a play date. Being a friend is an effective and inexpensive way of helping a refugee.
This blog post was created in partnership with Amazon Crossing. This blog participates in affiliate partnerships. If you make a purchase using one of our links, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.
