Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation

Mama's Nightingale is a tender and poignant story about a young girl named Saya whose mother is detained in an immigration center. To bridge the distance, Mama sends Saya bedtime stories on cassette tapes, drawing from Haitian folklore. Inspired by her mother's creativity and her father's tireless efforts, Saya writes a powerful story of her own, believing it can make a difference in reuniting her family. This book gently explores themes of family separation, immigration, resilience, and the power of a child's voice, making it suitable for children aged 4-11.

A touching tale of parent-child separation and immigration, from a National Book Award finalist After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on their answering machine. To ease the distance between them while she’s in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her mother's tales and her father's attempts to reunite their family, Saya writes a story of her own—one that just might bring her mother home for good. With stirring illustrations, this tender tale shows the human side of immigration and imprisonment—and shows how every child has the power to make a difference.