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We Are Here
This is the story of a young boy and his mother, as they make a long and difficult journey over land and sea in search of safety. As they travel in a boat, the little boy reflects back over their journey, which his mother has tried to make into an adventure. Will they make it to safety and will anyone help them?
Full colour illustrations accompany meaningful prose poetry text in this call to empathy and humanity in these increasingly hostile times.
10% of the profits will be donated to Refugee Rescue.
A little flick through the book!
We Are Here - £12.99
ISBN 13: 9781838346133
ISBN 10: 1838346139
Hardback
Pages: 40
Size: 206mm x 280mm
This is a story to break your heart, open, and humanize the unimaginable ordeal that far too many are forced to endure, through no fault of their own, in search for a better life. We Are Here strikes the right balance of pity and compassion, while reminding us that we belong to one human family
—irrespective of cultural or religious difference—and cannot afford to ignore the less fortunate among us.
Miss B, Primary School Teacher
I was hooked in the moment I read ‘We are Here’. It was evocative, emotional and had me fearing for the mother and child. It certainly wasn’t an adventure as he was promised by his mum and it did shine a light on the true realities of seeking refuge. You captured the child’s voice brilliantly- the innocence, the way he conveyed his memories and fears to his mother. This will be pivotal in increasing empathy for families seeking refuge.
Reviews
Stephen, Big Bearded Bookseller
A mother plays games to make her child feel safe as they flee from their home to what the mother hopes is a safer place for them, each step of the journey shows a different ‘game’ but if you look closer there is danger for them both ever present on each leg. It shows the length a mother will go to to protect their child, both from what happened at home and what is happening on this arduous journey.
Beautifully and sympathetically illustrated throughout. Each illustration uses a palette to reflect the story being told in the frame, but none of the palettes used are garish, they are soft and even the cold blues have a warm feeling to them. I think this all shows. the love the mother has for their child, at least this is what it made me feel.
Another important text to help children explore what it is like to be the other and to have to flee, how this decision isn’t taken lightly and how families support each other in their travel, that though this could be seen as an adventure it is not, it is a decision to live.
Alex and Asim - Refugee Week 2023
Alex’s presentation for Refugee Rescue followed by Asim the Poet’s reading of We Are Here
Some book background…
First, I want to apologise if this seems like I’m centering myself and my feelings - I only mean to explain my reasons for writing ‘We Are Here’.
This book has been a labour of love and at times the sensitivity and gravity of the subject has made me sincerely question whether a) I should be writing it, b) could I possibly do it justice, and c) is it just too heavy for children to deal with. I frequently felt that as this is not an ‘own voice’ story, I shouldn’t be writing it and I’m guessing some people will agree with that sentiment, and I understand that.
Inspiration for this book came from several places. Remember two year old Alan Shenu (Alan Kurdi), who drowned with his mother and brother in the Mediterranean? And many of you will have read the poem ‘Home’ by Warsan Shire, in which she writes, “You have to understand that no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land…”
These tragic events and these powerful words lodged deep within my gut.
Over the years I have read, watched and heard the written and filmed testimony of people who have made unimaginably difficult journeys in the hopes of finding a place to live that is safe, peaceful and prosperous. And with all of it, I have felt an equal measure of helplessness and responsibility.
My intention for this book is only to add to the spotlights being shone on the daily tragedy of people risking everything and in so many cases - not surviving.
Of course the topic is complex for young children to grasp, so it is aimed at 7 years and up and I hope that it will spark conversation and encourage empathy in a world that seems to be ever more unwelcoming and hostile.
