More a photo book than a picture book, this sweet story follows the life of 5 year old Eliza as she adapts to life in a remote Malaysian village. She boils ants out of her water, adventures through the jungle and pees in a squatty potty (don’t worry there aren’t pictures of specifically that). She discovers some things that she loves – like the candies at school – and others that frustrate her – like the way everyone touches her blonde hair.
Though this is an older book, I would recommend it to families with young children moving to remote areas to help prepare their kids for some of the rougher aspects of village life that are still applicable today. It can also get them excited for the unique joys of living somewhere unconventional. Kids already living far from paved roads could relate to Eliza’s story.
Reading level: age 4-8 years