16 Picture books about refugees

 I recently worked with a school to build their students’ knowledge around the topic of refugees. 

This topic is quite large, so we tried to break it down into three manageable parts: before, during, and after migration.

We developed a list of goals we wanted students to be able to discuss by the end of the unit and gathered a collection of mentor texts that would help build students’ knowledge in these areas.

These were our question prompts for the 3 parts:

Before migration

• Why might people choose to leave their home country?
• What circumstances could lead to this?
• What’s the difference between an asylum seeker, a refugee and a migrant?

During migration

• How do refugees travel to Australia?
• What challenges can they face along the way?

After migration

• How do refugees build new lives in their new country?
• What challenges can they face upon arrival?

I’ve collated a list of relevant picture story books to form a Reading Spine focusing on the three areas: before, during and after migration.

Tip: Click on the image of each book in the Reading Spine to download a corresponding bookplate with reading and writing teaching recommendations.

Before migration

What is a Refugee?

Written and illustrated by Elise Gravel.

This book provides a child-friendly explanation about refugees. It’s a simple read, but one that you could come back to throughout the unit to check your students’ understanding.

Four Feet, Two Sandals

Written by Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug Chayka.

This book tells the touching story of two girls in a refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan. It highlights some of the living conditions for people living in refugee tent camps and the process of waiting to be allocated a new country.

Nasreen’s Secret School

Written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter.

This book tells the true story of a young Afghani girl who attends a secret school for girls during the Taliban’s reign over Afghanistan. It is a great book for sparking discussions about why people might want to leave their country in search of a better life.

Journey From Ukraine (BTN episode)

This BTN episode outlines the experience of one family’s journey from the war zone in Ukraine to the safety of Australia. It includes insights across all three areas of this unit’s focus: before, during and after migration.

https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/journey-from-ukraine/13868102

Tomorrow

  Written and illustrated by Nadine Kaadan.

This book tells the story of a Syrian boy's experience with war coming to his town. He notices his parents being consumed with the news and can no longer leave the house. When he does venture outside he witnesses the devastation of war around him.

Feathers

Written by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Phil Lesnie.

This story follows a migrating bird's journey and cleverly highlights some of the many reasons people flee their homes in search of refuge (whether temporary or permanent).

During migration

Ziba Came On A Boat

Written by Liz Lofthouse, illustrated by Robert Ingpen.

This book tells the story of a little refugee girl's brave journey across the dangerous seas to seek a new life in a new country. It is based on real events and gives great insight into some of the risks some refugees take when fleeing their countries.

Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan

Written by Mary Williams, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.

Not all refugees travel by boat! This book shares the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan- a group of thousands of young Sudanese boys who walked hundreds of kilometres to flee the dangers of their village and the country. The dangers these young people face are unfathomable, but the boys somehow managed to brave them all. This is a long read, but it's worth it.

Anisa’s Alphabet

Written by Mike Dumbleton, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville.

This is a well-written rhyming acrostic poem (who knew acrostic poems could actually tell an interesting story!?) It follows one young girl’s journey across the dangerous seas, searching for a new home. This is a great piece of creative writing.

Wishes

Written by Muon Thi Van, illustrated by Victo Ngai.

This story gives insight into some of the many feelings that go through a refugee’s mind as they’re in the act of fleeing their country in search of safety. Every single one of the 75 words in this book are powerful and thought-provoking. It's a simple book, but one that makes you think.

Flight

Written by Nadia Wheatley, illustrated by Armin Greder.

This book tells the story of a husband-and-wife couple who are fleeing their home with their young baby. They must make a dangerous, days-long trek across a desert with minimal water or protection—all in search of safety and a new life.

After migration

The Island

Written and illustrated by Armin Greder.

This book highlights the ugly side of how refugees and migrants can sometimes be treated by the ‘locals’. It depicts anxiety and fear expressed toward new people, new thoughts, and new ways of doing things. It’s a great book to discuss how we treat newcomers in our classrooms, communities, and country. The images are quite powerful by themselves.

My Two Blankets

Written by Irena Kobald, illustrated by Freya Blackwood.

This a story about the pain of being dislocated from home and from what’s familiar. It follows the story of a young girl who moves countries to escape war and who has to learn to live in her new country. It highlights the challenge of learning a new language when trying to build a new life.  

A Home for Luna

Written by Stef Gemmill, illustrated by Mel Armstrong.

This book tells the tale of a cat who washes ashore in an unfamiliar place and has to learn to fit in with the locals. It’s a great metaphor for the experience of migrants and refugees.

Out

Written by Angela May George, illustrated by Owen Swan.

“I’m called an asylum seeker, but that’s not my name.” In this story, a young girl tells her story of travelling across the seas with her mum to set up a new life. She reflects on some of the changes she’s noticed since seeking refuge in the safe new place.

This is Not My Home

Written by Eugenia Yoh, illustrated by Vivienne Chang.

“Not my backyard, barbeques, not my fireflies, not my market, not my car, not Jill, not my school, Lily thought.” This book shares one young girl’s experience of migrating to a new and unfamiliar country. At first, she struggles with all the ‘new’ things, but eventually, she learns to love and understand both of her countries. 

Did you find this refugee and migration Reading Spine useful? Want a Reading Spince on another topic? I'd love to hear about it! Drop a comment on the Oz Lit Teacher Facebook group or send a quick message through my contact page.