Books, videos, and websites for Third Culture Kids
In this third book about two sisters who love to visit new places, the girls visit their grandparents and discover fun things to do in their mom’s hometown of Thunder Bay, Canada. They have a whole list of things to see and do and eat while in their passport country with their family. It’s based on the real-life adventures of 2 Canadian TCKs. Illustrations are adorable.
Reading level: age 3-10 years
This is the second book in a delightful series about two sisters who love to visit new places. This book introduces fun things to see & do in Rome. From visiting classic sites like the Colosseum and the Trevi fountain to trying Italian gelato, this book is a fun introductory tour of Rome. And it’s based on the real-life adventures of 2 Canadian TCKs. Illustrations are great!
Reading level: age 3-10 years
Callie’s family is having a yard sale before moving to a small apartment, but it’s hard for her to see people carrying away her things. Callie’s family is moving for money reasons, but this sensitive story could help young TCKs-to-be who have to part with many possessions before moving abroad. Parting with possessions can be harder for children than for adults. It is surprisingly sad at a couple points (I was tearing up for Callie and with my own memories) but has a very sweet ending.
Reading level: age 3-7 years.
“It’s different here, not the same as there.”
In this sequel to I Know Here the same little Canadian girl compares how things were in her previous home with how they are now in Toronto. Some changes are hard, some aren’t good or bad, but one important change makes the new place different in a very good way: a friend her own age! Comparing her last forest-filled home with her new suburban/ city life, the illustrations bring out the best of both settings. Another beautifully-written book, this could be read along with I Know Here or stand alone.
Reading level: age 4-7 years.
“This is where I live. I don’t know Toronto. I know here.”
A little girl preparing to move to the city from a remote part of Canada recalls all the things she loves about her home: animals in the forest, her friends and the trailers she lives in. When she wonders “Have people in Toronto seen what I’ve seen?” her teacher helps her find a way to carry along & share her memories of everything she loves “here.” A wonderfully poignant book for any age with vibrant illustrations, it pairs well with the second book in the series From There to Here.
This story could help inspire children to process their own feelings about moving and what they love about their current home, and parents will appreciate the poetic writing style.
Reading level: age 4- 7 years.
Lets Move Together isn’t a story and it isn’t exactly a workbook, either. It’s a “how to” for children, walking them through the process of moving. Written for the expat community, it refers to differences that are unique to moving abroad, like learning a new language. The book is divided into three sections: feelings, thoughts and actions.
Feelings: addresses being happy, sad or angry about moving and how to express each one in a healthy way.
Thoughts: focuses on what questions to ask about where the family is moving, what to expect from a new home and school, etc
Actions: researching where the family is moving to, building a memory box, giving away toys that cannot be brought along, saying goodbye well, and making new friends
Reading level: age 4 and up.