Rosie gets a letter from the boy down the street… then he moves away. But he keeps sending letters, even after Rosie moves to new places, again and again.
One day, it’s time for Rosie to go home. But “Rosie had a problem… Rosie had too many homes.” Which was her REAL home? In this truly delightful TCK love story (based on the real life story of the writer and her husband), Rosie discovers an important TCK truth – home is not a place but a person. This book relates to people of all ages, from children to adults.
Seven-year old Katie has already lived in two states & now her family is about to move again. As she thinks about saying leaving behind her friends, favorite places & fun activities, she remembers how much she missed everyone & everything after her first move. And she realizes she’ll need to go through the sometimes-lonely process of making new friends, just like last move.
But then Katie realizes something–if she hadn’t moved the first time, she’d have missed out on all the things she loves now. And if she stays here, she’ll miss the “treasures” awaiting her in the next place. And with that, she’s ready for her next moving adventure.
Because the book is written in first-person with Katie talking to the reader, she is basically giving children advice about moving rather than narrating a story. In addition to her positive perspective about finding “treasures” in each location, she tells how she got through the adjustment after her first move while she was still trying to make friends. The friendly, upbeat tone keeps it from feeling “preachy,” and kids can learn some helpful things about moving from brave, optimistic Katie.
The book ends with four journaling pages where children can list the treasures and friends they are leaving at their old home and those they find at their new home. It also has pages kids can tear out to write letters to their old friends.
Reading level: 4 to 8 years
Of all the books I’ve reviewed for kids moving internationally, this is by far my top pick! Unlike other activity books, it is not about moving to a new house but about things kids encounter when adjusting to a new culture and living abroad.
Each of the twenty-three “chapters” covers a different challenge a TCK might face living internationally – encountering “weird” things, being stared at by strangers, missing friends, missing out on activities with extended family, feeling connected to several flags & countries and many more. Each section starts with one or two stories by TCKs, followed by a brief insight or suggestion written by the parent. An activity then helps kids express themselves, problem-solve, or gain a new perspective.
The book is illustrated with colorful children’s drawings and photos of the actual children who wrote the stories (the authors’ children). The children themselves come from all over the world and live all over the world.
As a TCK Caregiver, this is the book I give to all our parents when they move overseas for the first time with children.
You can download a PDF with four sample “chapters” at the book’s website: http://www.slurpingsoup.com/book/preview-the-book/
Reading level: 3-12 years
Third Culture Kids live in world filled with goodbyes and cultural adjustments and they may not always know how to express and process the complicated thoughts and feelings that arise as they navigate those experiences. This book offers simple exercises that kids or teens can do to better connect with their inner experiences. It offers tools to help them gain insight and understanding and to learn healthy ways to handle their feelings.
The topics and types of activities vary widely. They include such things as recollecting favorite things, learning to problem solve, creating a family tree, reflecting on identity, constructing a life timeline and much more. Some activities are specifically related to TCK mobility or cross-cultural experiences while others are simply skills for building emotional health.
Worksheets are simply drawn. Some are suitable for younger children, especially if a parent could read the “instructions” to them. Older children or teens could work through the book independently or parents (or teachers or counselors) could go through the book with kids/teens, using the activities to spark reflection and discussion.
Reading level: 6 to 13 years
This unique book focuses on mobile families with extra layers of complexity – those who are multicultural, multilingual, multi-ethnic and/or multi-faith.
The author uses the metaphor of a South American shirt called a “mola,” made from layered fabrics that are carefully cut and stitched to reveal the colors of the inner layers. MOLA families, she explains, also have many layers. The “MOLA toolkit” helps families sort out the complexities and create a life “by design.” The author weaves together her own family’s story, examples of other MOLA families, insights and information, advice (both her own and that of other intercultural experts), and thought-provoking questions.
At the end of each chapter guided activities help families apply the insights and tools and Conversation Starters prompt meaningful family discussions.
This is a truly ground-breaking book that covers issues other books do not. Though some parts would be relevant for any Third Culture (or Cross-Cultural) family, it is really written for families that bring together -through marriage, birth or adoption- parents and kids who have a variety of nationalities, ethnicities or faiths, and/or speak a variety of languages.
This is an excellent resource for educators who want to help mobile families, like TCKs at international schools. Focusing on elementary classrooms, “New Kid in School” gives practical advice, lesson plans and lots of children’s book recommendations for teachers to incorporate into their curriculum. It takes theory about mobility and turns it into usable material for educators.
This book has 7 chapters:
- Background of the Book
- The Common Experience of Mobility
- The Process of Transition
- Personal and Cultural Identity
- Friendships and Relationships
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Moving Back
