My Name Is Not Refugee

A mother explains to her young son that they must leave their home and travel to another country, preparing him for the journey ahead. She frames their impending refugee experience through questions that help him understand what to expect. The story follows their journey as they encounter various situations common to the refugee experience - from long walks and waiting in lines to meeting new people and adjusting to unfamiliar foods and surroundings. Kate Milner's simple black and white illustrations paired with straightforward text make this complex topic accessible to young readers. The book creates space for children to process and discuss migration, belonging, and what it means to start over in a new place.

Readers appreciate this book's gentle, straightforward approach to explaining refugee experiences to young children. Parents and teachers note it helps start conversations about displacement and migration with kids ages 4-8. Reviewers highlight the interactive questions throughout ("What would you take?") that engage children and build empathy. Several teachers mention using it successfully in classrooms with refugee students. Common criticism focuses on the black-and-white illustrations, which some find too stark or abstract for young readers. A few reviewers wanted more specific details about the refugee experience. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (286 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (169 ratings) Amazon US: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Sample review: "Perfect for helping children understand what their refugee classmates have experienced. My 6-year-old asked thoughtful questions throughout." - Goodreads reviewer "The art style may not appeal to all children, but the message comes through clearly." - Amazon reviewer

Welcome to America by Sharon Shavers Gayle A boy's journey from Jamaica to America shows the feelings of displacement and hope during immigration.

The Day War Came by Nicola Davies A child flees her war-torn homeland and encounters both rejection and kindness in her search for safety.

Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams, Khadra Mohammed Two girls in a refugee camp share one pair of sandals while awaiting resettlement to new homes.

The Journey by Francesca Sanna A family escapes war through multiple countries and transportation methods to reach a safe destination.

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey by Margriet Ruurs Stone artwork illustrates a Syrian family's trek across borders to find a new home.

🔹 Author Kate Milner was inspired to write this book after volunteering at a refugee center in Hertfordshire, UK, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by refugee families. 🔹 The book won the V&A Student Illustration Award in 2016 and the Klaus Flugge Prize for the most promising newcomer to children's picture book illustration in 2018. 🔹 The story is told through the perspective of a young boy, making complex refugee experiences more accessible and relatable for children who may be encountering these topics for the first time. 🔹 The book includes interactive questions on each page, encouraging young readers to imagine themselves in similar situations and develop empathy for refugee children. 🔹 The illustrations use a limited color palette of mainly browns and greys, reflecting both the serious nature of the subject matter and the artistic style of children's drawings.