In her stunning first picture book the author/illustrator Francesca Sanna has drawn on the experiences she heard about from recent refugees from many countries. The text in this book is easy to read in terms of vocabulary and sentence structure and this apparent simplicity combined with the memorable illustrations have great power to move readers of all ages. Each spread features a carefully chosen colour palette, depicting the variety of landscapes, real and emotional, through which a family passes, escaping conflict and seeking sanctuary.

Sanna met refugee children and combined their stories to create this brilliant book told from a child’s perspective – but with an awareness of an adult’s perspective too. […] The story has darkness, and fear, and worry, and shows the heartbreaking decisions families have to make when they’re trying to stay alive. There are also moments of strength and hope.” The unspecified time and setting makes The Journey quite universal; the fear of the unknown balanced out by hope and dreams for the future. This teaching sequence spans approximately 26 sessions, providing ample opportunities for educators to teach advanced reading and writing skills through an evocative and challenging text. The vivid illustrations encourage reader response and reflection on complex themes, allowing for in-depth exploration of sensitive content and inspiring creative, authentic responses. A beautifully illustrated picture book that deftly explores the unimaginable decisions made as a family leave their home and everything they know to escape the turmoil and tragedy brought by war.”the graphical illustrations are powerful and unusual and engaging, for older children and for adults, as well as for younger children; a wonderful teaching tool for those who are welcoming refugees into their community.”— The New York Times And they face all kinds of obstacles - a high guarded wall, a sea that stretches far and wide, a scary ferry boat ride, followed by a long train ride, all in search of a home where the family can begin their story all over again. What a beautiful and haunting book. This story of a family that loses its home and father to war and must set out for a safer home might not be a soothing bedtime tale, but for a child curious about the word “refugee,” I can hardly think of a more delicate and powerful introduction.” We cannot imagine a better way to introduce children ages 5 – 7 to the piercing realities of becoming a refugee. We wish that this book was required reading for every single official making decisions that affect migrants.”— Spirituality and Practice

The tone of the story is simple, told through the voice of the children in the tale. It's a nice approach as it makes the story easy to understand, and it worked well with the simple, yet beautiful artwork. This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces a powerful and moving perspective on migration for readers of all ages. Told through the eyes of a young girl, the story explores the unimaginable decisions faced by a mother and her two children as they are forced to flee their home and everyone they know to escape the turmoil of war. the this book is suggested for 3-6-year-olds but I suggest using it for children aged up to 12 and even older; Francesca Sanna creates images that evoke the cost of war to all who are threatened by it. […] Emotional, often stark, yet also hopeful, they will allow readers to share the emotions felt by the many refugee families looking for shelter and safety.” especially for younger children: what does the word journey mean? Does the word mean/imply a short trip or travelling for a long time?

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discuss the emotion words you wrote on the classroom whiteboard. Ask the children to draw a picture of the family and what was happening in one part of the story. Children describe what was happening and how they think the characters felt; The Journey] is a brightly colored and beautifully illustrated tale on a dark and frightening topic. […] The contrasting pictures and words are likely to inspire conversation, asking children and adults alike to discuss the topic of conflict and the plight of refugees the world over. I’d highly recommend the use of this book in an educational setting. Francesca Sanna is an illustrator to keep an eye on.”

Introducing a comprehensive teaching unit centered around the captivating text, “The Journey” by Francesca Sanna. This 5-week writing unit is thoughtfully designed to engage students and broaden their understanding of the refugee experience.

A young family’s safe world is turned upside down when war arrives,causing turmoil in their lives and forcing them to flee in search of safety. Told through the eyes of one of the children, the story follow their journey across hills and through forests, over enormous walls and stormy seas, encountering things both wondrous and scary in their search for a new home. read the author’s name and, for younger children, revise/introduce the words: author and illustrator. Why do you think there is only one name on the cover? (author and illustrator are the same);