The Suitcase

by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, Chris Naylor-Ballesteros (Illustrator)

Overview

A powerful story about immigration, trust, and new beginnings, full of heart and humanity, for anyone who has ever felt unwelcome or out of place. Perfect for fans of Allen Say, Francesca Sanna, and Yuyi Morales. 

When a weary stranger arrives one day, with only a suitcase, everyone is full of questions:

Why is he here?
Where has he come from?
And just what is in that suitcase?
 
To learn the answers, they can either trust the newcomer or discover what they risk by not believing him. 
 
A story about hope and kindness, truth and perception—and most importantly, about how we treat those in need.

"At a time when over 65 million people are forcibly displaced around the world, this beautifully illustrated and wise, gentle tale of tolerance and kindness for fellow humans resonates deeply. I hope all parents share The Suitcase with their children." - Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner
 
"A simple, powerful way to introduce the idea of kindness to strangers to young children" - Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780358329602
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/29/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	454,764
Product dimensions:	10.90(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is a picture book creator who lives in France.
Website: chrisnaylorballesteros.com
Twitter: @Chris_Naylor_B

Chris Naylor-Ballesteros is a picture book creator who lives in France.
Website: chrisnaylorballesteros.com
Twitter: @Chris_Naylor_B

Editorial Reviews

"At a time when over 65 million people are forcibly displaced around the world, this beautifully illustrated and wise, gentle tale of tolerance and kindness for fellow humans resonates deeply. I hope all parents share The Suitcase with their children." - Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner   "A simple, powerful way to introduce the idea of kindness to strangers to young children" - Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo ★ "A heartwarming lesson in empathy and kindness."—Kirkus, STARRED review "This picture book packs an emotional wallop for anyone who has sought a new life in a new land, delivering a powerful lesson on treating newcomers with kindness."—Booklist "Naylor’s designs truly bring life to the text, while the emotions of all the animals, especially the exhaustion of the stranger, is evident as they work through their feelings and come to understand one another. An accessible, beautiful story of trust and acceptance for every collection."—School Library Journal   —

From the Publisher

07/01/2020

PreS-Gr 1—When a strange new animal arrives carrying nothing but an old suitcase, all the other animals are curious. Can they trust this tired stranger and what he says is in his suitcase? After much debate, they decide to investigate as the stranger sleeps, which leads to an accident and a happy conclusion: The stranger is welcomed to their new home. Naylor has created a short and sweet story that anyone can understand. The words and language are all clear, even color coded to match the animals, so that younger children can follow along. The story is simple while still teaching a valuable lesson. Naylor's designs truly bring life to the text, while the emotions of all the animals, especially the exhaustion of the stranger, is evident as they work through their feelings and come to understand one another. VERDICT An accessible, beautiful story of trust and acceptance for every collection.—Margaret Kennelly, iSchool at Urbana-Champaign

School Library Journal

★ 2020-06-30
When a sad and tired-looking stranger arrives hauling a big suitcase, the animals that greet him are curious. What will they make of him and the contents of his suitcase?

Right from the start readers know the creature doesn’t belong in the same surroundings as the three familiar-looking earthy-toned animals that greet him: a fox, a bunny, and a bird. The stranger has an unidentifiable shape, and his skin is a pretty shade of teal. He tells them the suitcase contains a teacup, a wooden chair and table, “and there’s a little kitchen in a wooden cabin where I make my tea. That’s my home.” Naturally, the animals don’t believe that’s possible. When the tired stranger curls up to rest, they look inside the suitcase. What they find is indeed what the stranger claimed—but not quite. In a two-page spread that will break readers’ hearts the contents are revealed: a broken teacup and an old photo of the stranger’s home, exactly as he’s described it. The suitcase makes a poignant metaphor for the stranger’s memories of a home left behind. The tension builds as the animals make sense of their discovery and the stranger dreams of the hardship and loss he has endured before finally waking up, all depicted in beautiful, gestural lines and delicate application of color. In a show of empathy and understanding, the animals glue his teacup back together and re-create his old home. The stranger, no longer a stranger, has found friends and a new home.

A heartwarming lesson in empathy and kindness. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews