Authors Annamaria Piccione and Luís Amavisca weave of story of two war orphans with their “backpack of memories” and a stuffed animal each wending their way to safety. April and Julio meet as each is trying to find “a place that welcomed them” where they could live in peace. A touching picture book, graced with Francesc Rovira’s exquisite drawings, that youngsters will love but that their adults will love even more. It’s The Little Prince for 21st century.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Publisher Spotlight and NubeOcho in exchange for an honest review.

A story that needs to be told, I loved the characters even if I think they could be fleshed out more. Its core tells a story of two characters coming to terms with a daunting future and harrowing past. The illustrations feel true to the story, and it prose is littered with metaphors that make your heart melt. I wish this story was less final, for the lives of these children are hardly over.