When We Are Home
MY THOUGHTS
Who says picture books are for early readers? Some of the most difficult topics to talk about can be discussed easily, with the help of a picture book. When We are Home by Priyadarshini Gogoi and illustrated by Pankaj Saikia, is one such book.
When We Are Home shows Moromi and her little brother, Huntu, remembering home. They recall that it tastes like the til pitha their grandmom used to make. They remember warm summer afternoons when home resonated with the sounds of their father sleeping. They are transported to evenings with orange skies when cool water refreshed their skin after a hot day of play. Through every one of these pages, we see Moromi and her brother quietly paddling on a raft in one corner of the page. Up until the last page, we see where they are headed.
How do you discuss what home is with a child? It is something they take for granted. Author Gogoi takes a difficult topic, such as displacement and looks at it through the innocence of childhood. Explaining why some people are forced to leave their homes behind and become refugees is a hard enough topic to discuss with anyone, let alone a child. This book opens the door for these conversations and makes understanding what home means a little easier. Illustrator Pankaj Saikia highlights the details and takes us to the Assam where he grew up. Each page is visually stunning! My favourite page has to be the one with Papa sleeping. Parachute oil, tube of Boroline, ink-stained tablecloth, Assamese calendar — all these tiny details that make a house a home.
One tiny picture book, so many possibilities! Use it to talk about family, the meaning of home, tougher conversations like effects of natural disasters, and so much more! Don’t wait, go get this book now!
Buy the book here (use code PBMOR10)
If you think your child would enjoy this book, you can buy it here →
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