Where Will I Live?
Rosemary McCarney, Author
Photographs provided by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
Second Story Press, Nonfiction, Apr. 4, 2017
Suitable for Ages: 6-9
Themes: Children, Refugees, Immigrants, Children of War
Opening: “Sometimes scary things happen to good people.”
Book Jacket Synopsis: Every child needs a home. Children need somewhere safe where they can be happy, eat their meals with their family, play with their toys, and go to sleep at night feeling unafraid.
But many children all over the world have had to leave their homes because they are no longer safe. Because of war and conflict, they and their families have become refugees. For them life is hard and full of questions. In spite of everything, they find time to laugh, play and make friends. And most important, they have hope that somewhere, someone will welcome them to a new home.
Why I like this book:
A timely and inspiring global story from Rosemary McCarney about what life is like for child refugees who are uprooted from their homes because of war.
McCarney’s use of minimal text directs the reader’s attention to the beautiful UNHCR photographs, which will melt your heart and speak to your soul. They show the remarkable journey the families make. The refugees walk, run, hike across deserts, and ride in carts and boats with the hope of finding a safe place to live. Many end up in refugee camps and tent cities in countries like Lebanon, Rwanda, Iraq, Niger, Hungary, Jordan, South Sudan, and Greece.
Where Will I live will help children appreciate the stability they have in their own lives and raise their cultural awareness of the plight of children worldwide. It addresses tough issues and belongs in every school library.
Proceeds from this book will be donated to refugee children’s programs around the world.
Resources: This powerful book will generate many classroom conversations about how difficult life can be for children around the world. Ask children about what it means to be a refugee. Where will they go if their home isn’t safe? What will they eat? This is a great exercise in empathy. Children are compassionate, kind and want to help. Everyday they see other kids on the television news who are making a difference. Perhaps Where Will I Live will inspire readers and classrooms to find a way to help refugee families.
Rosemary McCarney is Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the Conference on Disarmament and past President CEO of Plan International Canada. She is the author of the internationally bestselling books: Every Day is Malala Day, Because I am a Girl: I Can Change the World, The Way to School and As A Boy.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
**I was provided with a copy of Where Will I Live in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Children's Books Heal 
Great reading..
keep it up
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Hi Patricia, Thanks for sharing this timely book. I believe Where Will I Live? will help bridge the gap between “us” and “them.” It’s so important to show that all children want and deserve the same thing – a safe home with food and love.
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I certainly hope books for children on the the refugee crisis will bridge the gap. It is important that we create compassion among our children for innocent children who are suffering basic needs. Today’s children will be our future leaders. I hope they see their commonality and respond to the needs of all people everywhere.
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So many children are unaware of how lucky they are to have a food, clothing, and shelter. I think this book will come as an eye-opener to many. I enjoy reading your book reviews. You always find such remarkable books to share with us.
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Thank you, Leslie. This is a wonderful book for parents and teachers to begin important conversations with kids about the basic needs of all children. Second Story Press in Canada publishes excellent books about tough topics.
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You are too kind Patricia! Thank you so much for sharing our books with CBH’s readers. We appreciate you helping us get our books into the hands of kids!
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Thank you for visiting my site! I enjoy sharing the variety of diverse books that Second Story publishes. You publish unique books not all publishers would publish!
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Another must for school libraries. Books like this can help children understand what it is like not to have a home anymore. When I visit schools in Canada, I often meet refugee children. It always amazes me how quickly they adapt to a new home.
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Thanks for sharing. Yes, this book and others about children refugees and immigrants belong in the classroom. Canada is doing a lot. There is a community in Pennsylvania that is involved with refugee families and helping them settle into their communities.
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A powerful book for young readers to open hearts and minds, hopefully for lifelong impact. Thanks for sharing!
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I sure hope opening the hearts and minds of children will have a lifelong impact.
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My dear friends are from war-torn CAR. On occasional visits to the US, we see first hand what the liberal news media will not tell us, the senseless cycle of loss, the futility of large charitable organizations, and the seeds of hope. Thanks you for your review choice. It seems like a lovely little book. I hope it does some good.
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Thank you for sharing Joanne. I’ve seen news about what you speak. It’s heartbreaking, but I will always remain hopeful. Teaching a new generation of compassionate children is a good place to start.
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Will there be a day when we don’t need this book? I hope so. In the meanwhile, thanks for sharing this important one.
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That’s a great question! I certainly hope so. Our hope is in the children of today who will be our future leaders.
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Intense book. Important and I look forward to reading this one.
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It is such a simple but powerful book! The photographs speak volumes. Second Story Press publishes important stories and I love to share them.
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Thanks for this review, Patricia, especially coming from a teacher who has helped students the past 20+ years learn English, sometimes their second, fourth, or sixth language. Yes, timely. Yes, another must for school libraries and classrooms. I have to disagree with Joanne and say that it’s our current administration and conservative lean that downplays the crisis. They don’t want refugees here, anyway, and the children are the ones who suffer the most.
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Wow, I’m enjoying the comments from everyone. I believe our hope is in teaching the compassionate generation of children who will some day be our leaders. Wonder what they will think some day when they look at what we did and did not do. I love what a large community in Pennsylvania is doing to help refugees resettle.
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You are so compassionately brilliant Pat! Thank you for your amazingly Good Work! With gratitude and love, debbie
On Apr 14, 2017 5:03 AM, “Children’s Books Heal” wrote:
> Patricia Tilton posted: ” Where Will I Live? Rosemary McCarney, Author > Photographs provided by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees > (UNHCR) Second Story Press, Nonfiction, Apr. 4, 2017 Suitable for Ages: 6-9 > Themes: Children, Refugees, Immigrants, Children of Wa” >
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Welcome! You read one of my reviews. I am trying to review more books about refugees. Am glad you enjoyed my selection today!
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I second what Darlene said about every library needing this book. And, I also second what Wendy said about hoping that we won’t need something like this one day….soon, I hope. Thank you for sharing this!
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Thank you for your comment! I share your dreams. But in the mean time we have the power to impact children at school through books, discussions and action.
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Wow!, Patricia. Just wow! So timely and touching. I’m going to take a look at this one. Thanks!
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Thanks Jilanne! It is a powerful and hopeful book! I hope you review it! We need to get the word out about this book and others.
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Thanks for telling me about this book. I sounds really powerful. I will check it out.
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Thanks for sharing – I’ve read a few chapter books but haven’t seen many picture books about refugees.
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I haven’t either. So, I was delighted to receive Rosemary McCarney’s new picture book! I love her multicultural books that deal with tough topics.
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This one just shot to the top of my “to buy” list! Sadly, such a timely book for today’s world.
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It is timely and the first PB I’ve seen to address the current refugee problems.
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Certainly in this manner.
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Stumbled upon your post and must buy this book now. I have worked for the past 1 1/2 years, at home and abroad, with the refugees and their only hope is the spread of compassion.
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Thank you for your important work! I am delighted you liked McCarney’s book about child refugees. I agree, I hope her book and other touch the heart of many. I have another PB about refugees I’ll be reviewing in the near future.
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Just that cover image conveys a powerful message. We can’t have too many books like this… and your lovely words sum up why.
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Yes, the cover is powerful! It will really help parents talk about children refugees with their children! I love all of Rosemary McCarney’s books. Similar photodocumentary format.
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