Life

11 Children’s Books About Immigration That Are Empathetic, Smart, & Kid-Friendly

by Lindsay E. Mack

Explaining complicated cultural issues to young children can throw many parents for a loop. Thankfully, the world of children's literature is filled with great books that bring giant issues down to a kid-sized level. For instance, the children's books about immigration explore the complexities of this topic in a relatable, nuanced, and intelligent way. Plus, these stories are well-told and engaging for young readers.

In addition, these children's books feature a wide range of voices and insights into the immigrant experience. What's it really like to move some place where the language and culture are totally new and different? How do you navigate a new school and make new friends when everything is so unusual? These books offer kid-sized insights into this experience, covering everything from classmates who can't pronounce your name to the many dangers faced by modern refugees escaping serious conflicts.

Whatever your kid's background, these books can offer tremendous insight into the lives and experiences of others. Plus, many of these reads are just plain fun, featuring brave kids who learn how to make a life for themselves in a new country. Inspiring and informative, these children's books about immigration are a welcome addition to any home library.

1'Carmela Full of Wishes' by Matt de la Pena

3'Coming to America' by Betsy Maestro

4'From Far Away' by Robert Munsch & Saoussan Askar

5'The Name Jar' by Yangsook Choi

7'Two White Rabbits' by Jairo Buitrago

8'Stepping Stones' by Margriet Ruurs

9'Her Right Foot' by Dave Eggers

10'Refugees and Migrants' by Ceri Roberts

11'Nowhere Boy' by Katherine Marsh