From Far Away

by Robert Munsch, Saoussan Askar, Rebecca Green (Illustrator)

Overview

When Saoussan immigrated with her family from war-torn Lebanon, she was only seven years old. This picture book tells the story of how she had to adjust to her new home in Canada. She describes the frustration of not understanding the teacher when she started school, not knowing how to ask to go to the bathroom, and being terrified of a Hallowe'en skeleton. This is the perfect book to help kids empathize with immigrant children whose experiences are very similar to Saoussan's.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554519392
Publisher:	Annick Press, Limited
Publication date:	08/08/2017
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	527,765
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Robert Munsch is one of North America's best-selling children's authors.

Saoussan Askar was born in Lebanon during the civil war, and immigrated with her family to Toronto in 1989. From Far Away was first published when she was in grade five.

Rebecca Green is an illustrator whose work has a home in young adult and chapter books. From Far Away is her very first picture book.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the original edition: “... takes on a difficult theme and communicates it effectively on a child’s level. A good choice for classes discussing the immigrant experience.” —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

PreS-Gr 1A well-intentioned but ultimately unsuccessful book. Six-year-old Askar and her family left war-torn Beirut to join her father in Canada. The child's adjustment to North American life is summed up by her being frightened by a Halloween skeleton and peeing on her teacher's lap. While this probably is what a seven-year old girl would most remember looking back at her experience, it leaves readers hungry for more. There is such a quick resolution (all is well) that youngsters never have the chance to comprehend the trauma of living in a war zone or the alienation and fear the little girl must have felt in her new environment. The watercolor illustrations are full of well-groomed multicultural people and a teacher who looks like Princess Diana. An admirable effort by the child co-author, but a rather half-baked story from Munsch.Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

2017-07-02
Seven-year-old Saoussan writes a letter to her reading buddy explaining how she left her war-torn country and what life in a new country has been like.Originally published in 1995 and based on Askar's experiences as a child in a Toronto school, this now appears with new illustrations and revised text. Sadly, this story has not lost any of its relevance or immediacy. As Saoussan tells her story, readers learn she comes from far away. Though she never says where from, it is understood from her mother's dress that it is a Muslim country. When war starts her parents decide to leave; in a note at the end of the book readers learn her new home is in Canada. The illustrations depict a very multiethnic school as well as a child in a wheelchair. Life in her new country is not easy. She doesn't speak English and cannot understand or communicate with her teacher or her classmates. Even something as basic as asking to go to the bathroom—here called a washroom—becomes a trial. Traditional celebrations can also be traumatic: when Saoussan sees a Halloween paper skeleton, memories of war flood back and make her scream. The children's faces are very expressive and help to further convey the feelings felt on all sides. The simple sentence structure and familiar situations make it easily accessible to young children. A note from a now-grown Askar concludes the book. A sad, challenging, and ultimately hopeful real-life story. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews