Mar 13 • 09:48 UTC 🇩🇪 Germany SZ

Children's Book: Who is actually foreign here?

The article discusses a children's book by Enne Koens that explores the themes of displacement and belonging through the story of a child swept into an unexpected situation wrought by their father's past.

The article presents the children's book "Zuhause ist woanders" by Dutch author Enne Koens, which tackles the difficult subject of displacement experienced by children. The narrative follows a young child who, after school, is taken away by their father to a remote village in the mountains where he grew up. The child arrives at their deceased grandparents' home, feeling lost and lacking agency in the dramatic circumstances surrounding their departure.

Koens aims to provide a framework for understanding what it may feel like for children who are forced to flee their homes. This book offers a gentle introduction for young readers to comprehend the complexities of being uprooted and the emotional struggles faced by refugees. It encourages empathy and imagination regarding the lives of others, addressing the challenging notion of foreignness and belonging in a child's mind.

As the article highlights, the importance of such literature cannot be overstated, especially in a time when conversations about migration and asylum are prevalent. By engaging children with these stories, authors like Koens foster a sense of connection and awareness, which is vital to cultivating a more inclusive society that understands and embraces diversity.

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