Parents' Guide to

Where Will I Live?

By Jan Carr, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Moving book about child refugees brought to life by photos.

Book Rosemary McCarney Picture Book 2017
Where Will I Live? Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 4+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Emi B.
Emi B. Parent of 9 and 9-year-old
August 28, 2017
age 6+

Great Conversation Starter

This book works effectively against the very real problem of dehumanizing of refugees, and it helps a child get a handle on an abstract concept by presenting it from a child's perspective. I like the way much of the book is written in the form of a series of questions, very much the way children sound. The use of photos supplied by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees concisely represents a global problem affecting families in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East; but unlike so many gruesome shots we see in newsfeeds today, some of these show children playing and making friends, and these were the ones my kids were most engrossed in. Rather than making the issue appear greater, more prevalent or closer to home what this book offers is a chance for parents to talk about what we can all do to help - by being a friend, offering a welcome, having empathy. I read this book with my 9-yr olds, and we all give it 2 thumbs up. Rosemary McCarney's little collection of images was a great way to get a conversation started - and by that I mean I got a chance to listen to what my kids already know about the subject.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Lelouch Vi Britannia
Lelouch Vi Britannia Adult
June 10, 2017
age 2+

Househunters

It's househunters. That's all it is, nothing more nothing less. It's just Househunters International. Nothing else to say about it.
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What's the Story?

WHERE WILL I LIVE? introduces the concept of refugees with the text "Sometimes scary things happen to good people. When soldiers fight or danger comes, families must pack their things and search for a safe place to live." Illustrated with photos of actual child refugees, we see them and their families in transit, many walking, some on boats. They sleep in makeshift shelters or in refugee camps, but we also see them finding friends and opportunities to play and smile. Accompanying text asks simple and direct questions: "Where will I live?" "Will I find one special buddy … or lots of friends where I live?" And it ends on a hopeful note, with an image of a smiling girl anticipating being welcomed by the reader.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This excellent book for introducing young kids to the plight of refugees is brought vividly alive by the photos and faces of very real children who've been affected. Where Will I Live? uses spare but very affecting text to voice the thoughts, worries, fears, and hopes of kids who are refugees. The text is simple and direct so readers can easily relate. Though there's no direct information about the current events that caused these refugees, each photo names the country where it was taken, which include Croatia, Hungary, Rwanda, Lebanon, Jordan, Slovenia, Greece, South Sudan, Kenya, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Niger.

Throughout this photo essay, the beautiful, expressive faces of the children stare frankly out at us, engaging us in their lives. And though some of the pictures are scarier, especially the one of one young boy looking frightened when blocked by a solider, the kids are often shown smiling, even playing, making it clear that they're kids like any others. A beautiful book to encourage empathy and understanding of world situations, while contributing to programs that help.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the children and families pictured in Where Will I Live? What feelings do you think they're having? How would you feel if this happened to you?

  • Can you tell that the children are from different countries? What clues can you find in their clothing and other details? Do you know the names of the countries in the pictures?

  • What do you think will happen to these children and families? What do you hope happens?

Book Details

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