
Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, feeling like an outsider, or asking why some families have to move far away. It is a deeply poetic memoir that addresses the complex concept of being stateless and the ache of leaving a beloved home for an unknown future. Through stunning, whimsical illustrations, Zahra Marwan shares her family's journey from Kuwait to New Mexico. While the subject matter is serious, the tone is gentle and dreamlike, making it an accessible entry point for children ages 4 to 8 to discuss themes of identity, belonging, and the enduring strength of family bonds. It is an essential choice for parents looking to build empathy or help a child process their own feelings of displacement.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals with the political reality of being stateless and the pain of forced migration. The approach is lyrical and metaphorical rather than political or didactic. While the cause of their move is unjust, the resolution is hopeful and focuses on the resilience of the family unit.
A thoughtful 6 or 7-year-old who is curious about the world or a child who has recently moved and is struggling to reconcile their love for their old home with their new reality.
Read the author's note in the back matter first. It provides the historical context of the Bidoon people in Kuwait, which will help you answer questions about why the family "had" to leave. A child asking, "Why can't we go back?" or expressing a fear that they don't belong in their current environment.
Younger children (4-5) will focus on the butterflies and the visual contrast between the two settings. Older children (7-8) will pick up on the emotional weight of being "stateless" and the nuance of having two homes simultaneously.
Marwan's art style is singular, using watercolor and ink to create a folkloric, almost surrealist atmosphere that elevates the memoir beyond a standard immigration story into a piece of visual poetry.
The story follows young Zahra as her family is forced to leave Kuwait because they are considered stateless (Bidoon), meaning they lack official citizenship. The narrative captures the sensory details of her first home, the sadness of saying goodbye to relatives, the long journey to the United States, and the eventual realization that she can build a new home in New Mexico while keeping her heritage alive.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.