#GoogleEI: Picture Books About Refugees & Migrants

by michaelg February 19, 2019

Author: Aubrey Yeh
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As a part of my Google Innovator project, I have been making my way through books about migrants & refugees. Reading for fun is always a win in my book, and reading stories about a subject I am passionate about is even better!

If you are a teacher (or person) wanting to learn more about the refugee experience, I highly recommend picking up one or more of the books below. All have been available through my local library. If you want to go a step further, I’d consider adding some of these to your classroom library or reading them with your class. The more we share about these experiences, the more our students will build empathy and knowledge of the world! It also helps normalize conversations about other cultures, which can build safety for students who live in a world of mixed cultures every day.

Without further ado, here is the very beginning of my list, consisting of picture books that would be perfect for a read aloud!

1. The Day the War Came by Nicola Davies

This book is not tied to any one specific country or story, but illustrates how quickly you can go from living a normal life to having everything turned upside down. It also touches on the challenges of being in a new place.

2. Mustafa by Marie-Louise Gay

This book tells the story of a little boy in a new country, trying to make sense of a language and culture he doesn’t understand, and how a simple act of kindness changed his world.

3. Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

This poetic book describes the dreams of those moving to a new country. I particularly enjoyed the focus on books & libraries, and how they can further our dreams!

4. Undocumented: A Worker’s Fight by Duncan Tonatiuh

Image result for undocumented a workers fight

This is an inspiring story of an undocumented worker who worked with others to fight for fair wages and proper treatment at their jobs. It has great ties to both current issues and economic/social studies lessons!

Check out these books, and let me know what you think in the comments!

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