Description: Amidst the upheaval of war, a young girl and her family leave their homeland and face the challenges of adapting to a new life in a foreign land, but find comfort in a star-shaped cardboard lamp reminiscent of the one they cherished back home.
Brief description: Anna Desnitskaya is the author-illustrator of On the Edge of the World (Eerdmans), The Apartment: A Century of Russian History (Abrams), and many other books for young readers. In 2018, she was Russia's nominee for the 2018 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the world's largest award for children's literature. Amid the turmoil in Russia in 2022, Anna and her family made the decision to leave their longtime home of Moscow. After spending several months in Israel, they have currently settled in Montenegro. Follow Anna on Instagram @anyadesnitskaya.
Review Quotes: Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Straightforward, heartfelt words and thin-lined, fully imagined drawings from Desnitskaya (On the Edge of the World) give tender voice to one child's refugee experience."
"This succinct, effective story with its clear lines, compact figures, and visual language is as much an appealing graphic tale as it is a picture book." Booklist (starred review)
"Encouraging empathy and understanding, this illuminating picture book offers a realistic account of finding oneself in a new place and shines a light on the healing power of hope." Foreword Reviews
"This thoughtful picture book speaks to children during uncertain times." School Library Journal (starred review)
"A beautiful tale of loss and adjustment; for those who have never had to leave home, perhaps a lesson in insight and empathy. Highly recommended." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Beautifully crafted and warmly empathetic."