Immigration through a Child's Perspective
By Monserrath Angel
The beginning of 2025 started off with the horrifying news of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids taking place and targeting workplaces and facilities in many cities across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Azusa, Bakersfield, and more. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an estimate of 47,600 people being detained in immigration detention centers. This led to increased anxiety within immigrant communities, as these news reports were broadcasted everywhere.
Children, in particular, are profoundly affected by these emotionally distressing events, as they fear the potential separation from their loves ones due to immigration enforcement.
Children's literature plays a key role during childhood by addressing topics and experiences that depict fictional characters facing real-world situations, helping children understand subjects that may affect them. For instance, immigration is presented in children's literature in creative ways to help younger readers understand their own and others’ experiences. Immigration can be explored through stories about personal journeys, family separation, and the understanding of personal cultural identity. Some books that may be helpful while learning about this topic are:
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Dreamers is an illustrated book based on a real-life experience. It tells the story of an immigrant mother and her son as they journey from Mexico to the United States in search of finding a better life. Once in the U.S., they find solace and a sense of belonging in a public library, which becomes a place where they adapt to their new lifestyle. Through books in the library, they overcome the language barrier, a challenge for many immigrant parents. Morales was inspired to write this book based on her own experiences immigrating to the U.S. in the 1990s, leaving behind everything they owned in hopes of a better future.
Recommended for children of ages 4-8 years old.
2. My shoes and I: Crossing Three Borders/ Mis Zapatos y yo: Cruzando Tres Fronteras by René Colato Laínez
This children’s picture book, also based on a true story, follows Mario, who is sent shoes from his mother, already living in the U.S., to help him during his journey from El Salvador to the U.S. with his father. Excited to receive these shoes, he faces a difficult journey of long distances, harsh weather conditions, and risk of getting caught by border patrol. The shoes represent his perseverance and bravery no matter how many obstacles throughout their journey. In the end, Mario is finally reunited with his mother. Laínez shares his own experiences, to teach his young audience on the immigrant experience as he left El Salvador when he was 14 years old during the Salvadoran Civil War to live in Los Angeles, California.
3. Mango Moon by Diane de Anda
Mango Moon shares a touching story told from the perspective of a young boy whose father is taken away by immigration authorities and deported. With their future uncertain, their family struggles with their finances. The boy reminisces the memories of his father before he was taken away, wondering where he is.
Recommended for children ages 6-10 years old.
4. I is for Immigrants by Selina Alko
This book presents immigration through an alphabet, with each letter representing an aspect of the immigration experience—faced by many families in the US. For example, A represents Accents, Art, and Ancestors, reflecting the diverse languages, cultural heritage, and family histories that immigrants bring with them. Alko’s vibrant illustrations accompany the letters, and towards the end, she shares her own background as a child of Turkish and Canadian immigrant parents.
Recommended for ages 4-10 years old.
These books provide children of different ages with a clearer understanding of immigration, and helps encourage young readers to empathize with the challenges faced by immigrant families. Immigration is a complex topic, as it can be difficult for children to process, often leading to confusion and fear of separation. Books like Dreamers, I is for Immigrants, and many more books are powerful stories that help teach young readers to take pride in their roots and empathize with the struggles that immigrants go through.
