Explore stories of courage, resilience, hope and the search for safety with this list of 6 children’s books:
- Welcome by Barroux (3 years +)
- What Is A Refugee by Elise Gravel (3 years +)
- The Little Refugee by Anh & Suzanne Do (4 years +)
- The Journey by Francesca Sanna (5 years +)
- Refugees by Brian Bilston (8 years +)
- The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon (12 years +)
1. Welcome by Barroux
This illustrated book by Barroux explores themes of migration and refugees, difference and belonging as it tells the story of three polar bears adrift in the ocean after part of their ice float suddenly breaks off.
Age suggestion: 3 years +
2. What Is A Refugee by Elise Gravel
Elise Gravel, award-winning author-illustrator from Quebec, explores what it means to be a refugee in this bright and bold illustrated book; helping to answer the question ‘What is a refugee’ for young children.
Age suggestion: 3 years +
3. The Little Refugee by Anh & Suzanne Do
Anh & Suzanne Do’s book ‘The Little Refugee’, illustrated by Bruce Whatley, tells Anh’s inspirational story about his family’s escape from war-torn Vietnam and his childhood experiences in Australia.
Age suggestion: 4 years +
4. The Journey by Francesca Sanna
This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces a powerful and moving perspective on migration through a child’s eyes as a mother and her two young children are forced to flee their country to escape the turmoil of war.
“I look up to the birds that seem to be following us. They are migrating just like us. And their journey, like ours, is very long, but they don’t have to cross any borders.”
Age suggestion: 5 years +
5. Refugees by Brian Bilston
Brian Bilston’s book ‘Refugees’, illustrated by Jose Sanabria, cleverly tells both sides of a refugee story. When read one way, you hear a story of fear and suspicion but read in reverse, a new story unfolds, one that encourages peace and love.
Age suggestion: 8 years +
5. The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon
The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon highlights the plight of Burma’s Rohingya people and details life inside a detention centre in Australia. Shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and winner of the Amnesty CILIP Honour 2017, this moving novel tells the story of millions.
Age suggestion: 12 years +
Through storytelling, we can help children better understand the experiences of others, like those who have been forced to flee their homes and find safety in another country.
Our blogs are written by Amnesty International staff, volunteers and other interested individuals to raise awareness and encourage action around human rights issues. They do not necessarily represent the views of Amnesty International.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all – and we can only do it with your support.
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