This is a Children's Cultural Book that I read to my twin boys. I found the story to be very touching, and it was told in a way children can follow and understand. I really loved the pictures in this book. The cover made me think that birds would be a bigger part of the book, but I did enjoy reading this book to my boys. I did get an e-copy arc copy of this book, but I also buy a copy of this book with my own money.

This is one of those picture books that is both joyful and sad. In this book Ali tells his grandmother he wishes the fighting would stop and he could go home, but she lets him know that home is where the people you love are. Home is not a place. Home can be anywhere. We read about Ali immigrating from Kabul Afghanistan to Canada. And while that part of the story seems simple and brave, the adult reader knows it was hard and dangerous. The story is very well done and very contemplative. I’m glad it exists and I’m glad I read it.

-A young refugee learns the true meaning of home while reminiscing about Afghanistan. It compared missed things about their homeland to unfamiliar things in the US. It would be a sweet book to read in class with someone moving from any place to make them feel welcome and validate their feelings. It would make a good compare and contrast lesson.