Focused mostly on educators, this book looks into the effects of moving and transition on students and people in general. Using brain science, attachment theory, meta-analysis and personal stories, this is a well-rounded look into the effects of mobility. Though focused on international schools, this book is also beneficial for parents, TCKs, and organizations that experience high mobility.
The book is organized into three sections:
- On the High Seas: Why Moving Across Cultures is Challenging
- Finding a Safe Harbor: Building Programs to Match the Challenge
- Ensuring Safe Passage: Navigating Mobile Lives Through the Hearts of Schools
This collection of writings from Asian MKs who have lived all around the world gives insight into the experiences of MKs of all ages. The book is split into three sections: Children, Adolescents and Adults with journal entries from different MKs on a variety of subjects from school to goodbyes to rootedness. Most of the writers have a connection to Hong Kong (where the editor is based) and have at least one Chinese parent but their experiences are varied. Many issues unique to Asian MKs are addressed, like differences in education systems, maintaining Chinese roots, and cultural differences within the family.
This book would be great for Asian TCKs processing their own experiences, Asian missionary parents and those working with Asian MKs. Understanding a TCK perspective other than the Western one is beneficial to all TCK workers, as well.
Augustine loves her home in the south pole, where she’s surrounded by her penguin family and south pole customs. So when she has to pack up her toys and fly all the way to the north pole, she’s not sure what to think. At least her new house is cool. When she gets to school, she realizes she’s in the only penguin in her class and the other kids whisper about her accent behind her back. Augustine uses drawings to connect to the other students, though, and soon she has new friends and gets to take part in the school art show.
Reading level: 3 to 7 years
Mariama traveled by car, train, boat and plane from her home in Western Africa to a new world in a grey city. She has to learn a new language, a new way to eat and even a new way to play with friends. But even with all the differences, Mariama learns that children everywhere are still children. She made new friends who taught her how to live in her new home while she taught them (and the readers) about Africa, too.
This could be a story of a TCK or an immigrant child, but the themes overlap and the focus is on moving and cultural adaptation.
Available in Spanish here.
Reading level: age 3-6 years
Gregory’s dad comes home from work one day and announces that they’re all moving to Japan! Even before leaving their home, the family begins to learn Japanese and how to eat with chopsticks. Everything is different for Gregory in his new home and new school but he tries his best to learn all about the way things are done in Japan. Even without speaking the same language as his classmates, he finds ways to make friends and tries to fit in and is surprised to find out in the end that his classmates are adapting to him too.
Reading level: age 4 to 8 years
This gorgeous full color workbook for children and adolescents is a delight to look at and just as fun to read. Go! is divided into three sections: pre-field, entering a new country, and re-entry. A TCK can complete the whole book or just the section to applies to them at the time. Younger children will need help with some of the reading and projects, though many activities are drawing and not writing.
Go! helps TCKs to process their emotions (there is a whole page of emotions to choose from), record memories, say goodbye well and learn to make new friends. Parts of it are creative and fun and it is also very deep. I would have loved to have a workbook like this when I was young and I’m still tempted to fill mine out. It ships from Denmark (I believe it’s available in English and Danish) and at the time of writing this isn’t available on Amazon so be sure to allow time for it to arrive if you aren’t ordering within Europe. Order it here.
Reading level: age 6-13
