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There is nothing more hypocritical than setting up a country on land that was inhabited by established groups, bullying and murdering across the landmass to stretch the political borders, populating the country with people from around the world, then deciding that other groups are too dangerous to come in and grandly persecuting anyone who dares to flee to the “land of the free.” Seriously? It sounds ridiculous when you put it that way because it is ridiculous, with horrifying results.
There is a lot of counter-narrative pumped out that paints people coming to America as dangerous, lazy, or generally unwanted. Typical history curriculums don’t give a complete picture of the darker side of American history, shrouding the hypocrisy of current policies. Most dangerously, xenophobic othering keeps many American citizens from seeing the humanity of people they might not have met or lived among. This is why we need picture books about immigration. These stories help anyone without a full picture understand the motivations of immigrants, feel the sanctity of their family bonds, and develop empathy in general.
Read these picture books about immigration. Put them in libraries, in classrooms, in curriculums. Arm the children we are asking to live in this world with the truth about how our similarities are stronger than our differences and that our responsibility is to care for each other.
Mama’s Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation by Edwidge Danticat and Leslie Staub
Saya is separated from her mother, not by displacement due to immigration, but because her mother is imprisoned in a detention center. Human and compassionate, this story presents a mother determined to connect with her daughter and a child bravely feeling her emotions and daring to make a difference.
I’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’Brien
This story follows students from three countries as they assimilate into their new American elementary school. This is a common experience in the school where I work, and this book is an important peek into the minds of kids working hard to read, write, and communicate while reeling from their move. This book is a window and mirror for students who need to see this phenomenon and need to know they’re not alone.
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La Frontera by Alfredo Alva, Deborah Mills, Claudia Navarro
The bilingual aspect of this book reminds us that many stories in America need more than one point of access. After a century of farming in Mexico, Alfredo and his Papa find themselves looking for additional work to support their family. The picture book lays out a powerful narrative, and the end notes with information about immigration and details about the true story behind the book cement the reality of this common story.
To the Other Side by Erika Meza
A beautiful story that comes at the perils of immigration from a child’s wary point of view. Hiding from the monsters is part of a tricky but engaging game until the monsters become too real and even the suggestion of fun fades away. Highlighting both incredible childlike spirit and unbelievable strength, To The Other Side reminds us that border crossing is a matter of survival and cannot be accomplished without impressive fortitude.
My Shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders by René Colato Laínez and Fabricio Vanden Broeck
This autobiographical picture book takes a devastating subject matter and hooks young kids by making the sneakers the star. The childhood experience of being excited about new shoes is universal—watching those shoes break down over the course of an exhausting journey across three borders is more unique. René’s story is special.
Hopefully, you’ve found at least one picture book about immigration that will help you impart empathy and understanding to anyone who needs the education, regardless of age. Looking for more books about the immigrant experience? Check out this list of graphic novels by Eileen Gonzalez. Take care of each other. Happy reading!
