Recommended Reading: For Overseas Children

Recommended Reading

for Overseas Children

Lizzie, The Diplomatic Dog in Tbilisi, Georgia

by A. Moorefield

Lizzie is a loyal, friendly, and adventurous dog whose owner, Lady, works for the American Embassy. One of Lady's posts takes them to Tbilisi, Georgia. The book chronicles Lizzie's adventures, beginning with the long airport trip and following her through her developing friendships and exciting adventures in Tbilisi. Lizzie quietly escapes at night to explore the city; she visits the embassy, sees a cave city, and even sees a "dog enclave." While on her adventures, Lizzie learns about friendship, loyalty, courage, and love -- and teaches others about these things as well.

Lizzie has a wonderful attitude about traveling. Children will learn from her adventures and connect with her in many ways -- including learning to say goodbye when it's time to move on. This could be a wonderful "teaching tool" for parents to read with their school-aged children to talk about the challenges and joys of living abroad.

Reviewed by Jennifer Schwanke, literature and language arts teacher

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The Adventure Begins: First Day at Detinu International School

by Jen Munnerlyn

illustrated by Cathy Peng (Trafford)

This is the first book in a series written for Third-Culture Kids (TCKs). Munnerlyn is an adult TCK who currently teaches at Shanghai American School. Peng is an artist, illustrator and relocation expert living in Canada.

In the book, Sydney is from Michigan and is apprehensive about starting the third grade in a new school and in a new country. She thinks that the other kids seem nice, but the view out the school bus window is unfamiliar. The international school and country are invented, but real TCKs will empathize with Sydney’s feelings about having to make new friends and learn about a new place. The story introduces the reader to other possible characters in Sydney’s future adventures, like May Li, who is a new student from Korea. The vibrant illustrations will also keep young readers’ attention.

Reviewed by Tales from a Small Planet Board member Fatimah Mateen.

The book is available from Amazon.com and www.trafford.com

WHEN ABROAD DO AS THE LOCAL CHILDREN DO--Ori's Guide for Young Expats

by Hilly van Swol-Ulbrich and Bettina Kaltenhauser

When Abroad Do as the Local Children Do, an interactive guide book for children ages 8-12 years old who are preparing for an international move, is a delightful book written by two multicultural Europeans. This book is for children of any culture and is available in English and German.

Ori, a crane, and his newfound hedgehog friend, Rikki, lead your child through the process of an international move. On this journey, your child will be invited to draw pictures, cut and paste icons and write entries to help plan the move. As kids go through this process, they will engage such issues as friendships, new countries, changes, feelings, looking back, and returning to the country of origin after a period of living abroad. A particularly good section for parents and/or instructors suggests how to assist children at each stage of the move. Additional chapters include learning local money systems and new languages, as well as understanding cultural differences. Many useful kid-oriented websites and other cyber-tips on how to stay in touch will appeal to the international child of the 21st century!

By including the child in the move with a tool such as this book, families can ease the transition to another country. When Abroad addresses a child's anxieties about leaving family, pets and friends, as well as his concerns surrounding new friends and schools. Older children will be able to complete many of the activities independently. Even so, this book will facilitate useful conversations between children and parents about the move, allowing families to explore both its frightening and exciting aspects.

The book includes excellent references and has its own website, www.Ori-and-Ricki.net. Ori even has his own e-mail address at ori@ori-and-ricki.net, so kids can stay in touch. When Abroad is available in the U.S. from www.interchangeinstitute.com for $18.95. In Europe, contact www.xpat.nl, 15.90 Euros.

Reviewed by Kay Branaman Eakin, International Education Consultant, and President, Foreign Service Youth Foundation, www.fsyf.org

Let's Make a Move! A Creative Visualization Activity Book for Children

by Beverly D. Roman

Let's Make A Move! addresses the concerns that most young children experience during a relocation. This visualization activity book prepares children for the move, helps them become involved in the moving process and assists them with settling into their new environment with advice and safety tips. --Description by Amazon.com

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Let's Move Overseas: The International Edition of Let's Make A Move!

by Beverly D. Roman

With its 32-page step-by-step overview of what children can expect from an international move, Let's Move Overseas helps eliminate the unknown in a positive and realistic format. Activities include various ways to learn about the new country and its language, understand important overseas safety issues and discover ways to feel at home in the new location. Most importantly, as children progress through the book they are encouraged to express their feelings about the move and become involved in the process. --Description by Amazon.com

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Vamos a Mudarnos!

by Michael J. Cadieux (Illustrator), Clara I. Restrepo (Translator), Juan Rodriquez, Martin Luis Ferrer Guzman

Vamos a Mudarnos! is the Spanish version of our ever popular Lets Make a Move! childrens' activity book that helps children envision a move in a positive and productive way. This book addresses significant challenges that children face, particularly emotional factors. It also offers children constructive thoughts and advice to keep them safe in their new community. The most important aspect of this book is that it is culture-specific to address the special needs of Spanish-speaking children who are moving to a new city. --Description by Amazon.com

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Footsteps Around the World: Relocation Tips for Teens

by Beverly D. Roman

Footsteps Around the World focuses on teenagers' unique relocation challenges. Domestic and international advice to help teens maximize their experience whether they are moving across town, across the country or around the world. Topics include dealing with feelings, interview preparation, making new friends, educational guidelines, organizational checklists, repatriation, Internet sites, pliable pouches and packing labels. --Description by Amazon.com

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