It is absolutely essential to spend time exploring the front end papers of this book (and later the back ones too). On the front end paper you should be able to gain a tiny understanding of where the young girl from the title has come from and what horrors she has experienced - a crowded journey by boat; burning houses; broken hearts; and the sadness of leaving friends and pets. This is reinforced on the half title page the little girl is standing in the rain with such a sad face.
A young girl arrives in Mrs Rivers class. She is silent. She is sad. She sits alone. Mrs Rivers gives the little girl some paper and pencils but instead of drawing happy things she draws broken tents; an orange crowded boat; and people who are crying.
"I wanted to know why the girl at the front of the class drew such sad drawings and why she never spoke. ... 'Because', said Mrs Rivers, 'even though she's just like you, she has had to leave her home, and her parents and her school, and her friends too'".
He dad offers further advice and so does his grandmother. I love that this boy is a problem solver. He is sure there is a way to be kind. He gathers supplies and begins to make something special in their classroom. Gradually the girl comes closer until the important day when the boy is able to offer his friendship.
This is an important book for very young children about the refugee experience. It should be shared with a class with refugee children and classes or in a school with no refugee children as a way to build empathy.
You can see other books illustrated by Pippa Curnick here. And also here is the website for Onjali Q Rauf.
Here is my Pinterest collection of Picture books which explore The Refugee Experience. I would pair this with The Colour of Home.
I am a huge fan of Onjali Q Rauf. I have read all of these Middle Grade books so when I saw she had a picture book I was keen to see it too.
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