Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, illustrated by Anna Bron
A little girl living in a refugee shelter in Vancouver tries to cheer up her homesick mother by making her favorite Syrian dish, and the whole shelter pitches in to help her find the ingredients. A beautiful introduction to what community can look like in the hardest moments.
What Is a Refugee? by Elise Gravel
Exactly what it sounds like, and exactly the book you want when your kid asks the question. Gravel’s clean, simple style makes a hard topic feel approachable without ever talking down.
Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Daniel Egnéus
A little girl in a refugee camp keeps a smooth pebble as her best friend. When a younger boy arrives, even more frightened than she was, she gives the pebble away. Kids are the best.
Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes, illustrated by Sue Cornelison
A real cat, separated from his family as they fled Iraq, and the strangers across continents who worked together to reunite them. The kind of true story that restores something in you.
Areli Is a Dreamer by Areli Morales, illustrated by Luisa Uribe
The true story of a DACA recipient, told by Areli to her own kids. Watching her describe her first day at a new American school in a language she didn’t yet speak is something I hope stays with my boys for a long time.
A New Kind of Wild by Zara González Hoang
A boy who moves from the wild green of Puerto Rico to the concrete of New York City learns, with the help of a new friend, to see the magic in his new home. Beautiful, tender, and a great reframe of what “wild” can mean.