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
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
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
