Books, videos, and websites for Third Culture Kids
The Berenstain Bears decide to move from the mountains and into their beloved tree house down the sunny dirt road. Brother Bear is concerned about leaving his friends, but his parents assure him he can write and maybe visit. The new house is nice, but Brother Bear is worried because he doesn’t see anyone to be his friend – until the neighbors come over to visit with all their cubs.
Reading level: age 3-7 years
A young boy moves out of his old house and into a new one far away. Before he leaves, he walks though the empty rooms saying goodbye. As the car drives through town towards the new home, he takes a last look at familiar places. When he arrives at his new home he begins to make friends and feel more at home as his parents find places for familiar possessions.
Reading level: age 5-8 years
“We’re moving somewhere else today. I like my house. I want to stay.”
A little boy finds boxes all over the house as his family prepares to move. When he does not want to leave his house, his mother explains that Jesus understands because He left his home to come to a new place, too. At the new house the boy finds his toys in the boxes and settles in. The text in this short book is a rhyme, and the rhythm and repetition of phrases may be as soothing to children as the message.
Reading level: age 5-7 years
Probably the earliest book devoted to the subject of raising children overseas, this book still has insight to offer on this topic. Werkman, a child psychiatrist, drew on his extensive experience as a consultant to the US State Department and Peace Corps in writing about TCKs. He covers moving preparations, initial adjustments, the children’s educational needs, the family’s medical and psychological requirements, and the return to the USA. While some of the particulars have changed over the years many things the author describes continue to be encountered and his suggestions are largely still relevant.
Written by brothers who grew up as third-culture kids in various countries, this book is written to and for teens moving overseas. It addresses moving, school/education issues, culture shock, life overseas, and reentry. Most of the topics it covers are more applicable to TCKs from diplomatic or business families and those in a high socio-economic class. It is the only book of its kind, and much of it is relevant especially to those who will be living in cities with an established international/expatriate community. With stories from TCKs all over the world and advice from experts on international moves as well, this text is great resource.
This book focuses on how to make moving overseas with children a positive experience for everybody. The primary focus of the book is on understanding how living overseas affects your children. It addresses pre-field preparation, transition, establishing yourselves overseas, educational decisions, and re-entry issues. The book is written from a Christian perspective.