Hope and Freckles

Hope, a white-tailed deer, and her spotted fawn, Freckles, are facing hunger and danger in their forest. Hope decides that they must leave their home and go in search of a better place where they will be safe. When they arrive at a new forest, Hope and Freckles face unexpected challenges that will force them apart. Will they be reunited?

After you have read the story of Hope and Freckles, continue to explore the stories of people all over the world who have to leave their homes because of danger or hunger. Let the tale of Hope and Freckles begin to teach you about the millions of people who face the same difficulties that this mother deer and her little boy face as refugees.

"How does an author introduce young children to the plight of more than 25 million refugees around the world, i.e. without traumatizing the reader? In his Children's Picture book, Hope and Freckles: Fleeing to a Better Forest, author Bill Kiley achieves that goal. The book emphasizes both the oneness of all, the work of a single Creator, and a call to love thy neighbor, especially the stranger. What a wonderful way to being conversations about refugees."

--Richard Rohr, O.F.M.; Founder, Center for Contemplation and Action (CAC)