Where Are You From?

Where Are You From? boasts breathtakingly gorgeous text and expansive illustrations. I love this book because it first draws attention to how our world wants to simplify a person’s story. The book then counters with the beautiful reality that we are complex. As the child of immigrants, I could relate to this little girl seeking answers to the narrow question people keep asking her. She turns to Abuelo, who refuses to answer in ways that might categorize her. Instead, his poetic words sweep her up in a triumphant story rooted in deep ties to generations past and ongoing connections with… show more.

This book, dedicated to kids from everywhere, resonates deeply for me and likely for anyone who is asked the question “Where are you from?.” The young child in the story turns to Abuelo, who looks inside his heart to find a wide-ranging answer to this question. Abuelo’s response doesn’t involve a specific country or city, but conveys a broader sense of source from the pampas, mountains, the ocean, ancestors and beyond. Each of these places is beautifully described and depicted with vibrantly colorful illustrations. As the child continues to press Abuelo he finds a response that resonates. I was comforted… show more.