Note: I received a digital review copy of this book through NetGalley; I also received a bound galley from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2017. ( )

WHERE WILL I LIVE? is a touching and beautiful book picture-book filled with real photographs of children and families who have been forced to flee their homes due to government corruption and war. The photos in the book really make an impact and bring awareness to the refugee crisis around the world. It shows that people aren't just leaving their homes because they want "more," but they are escaping and facing real danger and need shelter. I love that each page is tagged with a country showing that so many countries around the world are actually working to take these victims in and help them find safety, shelter, and happiness. The last two lines of the book are especially touching- "After such a long journey, and such a long wait, I hope that someone smiles and says "Welcome home." I hope that someone is you." ( )

This is a great book to read to children who are learning about, hearing about or asking questions about the plight of refugees. I taught at a school that has over 50% of the population who had immigrated from various nations. This would have been a great tool to use with those classes to continue the conversations and to assist with understanding about their classmates as well as the children that had been arriving as refugees in the area.

The photographs in this book are mesmerizing. They show children and families in various situations, living in refugee camps, escaping on boats, wandering and dealing with having no home. The simple narrative, explains the plight of these scared weary refugees who feel lost and hopeless and just want to obtain a normal life once again. Their lives are difficult, they are constantly on the move and never know what they will face the next day. The parents are worried about the family's safety from wars, corrupt officials etc. However, through all this, the children play, make friends and have hope that they will find a home. They wonder what it will be like and what their new lives will bring. The book ends on a high note, which unfortunately is not the way all their lives and struggles will end, but it is for children so there is some sugar coating. One of the things I really like about this book is that all profits will go to refugee organizations to help those who are in this situation.

This book will teach children about the plight of others, how they live and what they deal with on a day-to-day basis. It will also help to teach them how to be grateful for their own country, and most of all compassion to enable them to reach out and help those less fortunate. I highly, highly recommend this book to all schools and public libraries. It's timing with the current situations around the world is perfect. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

This is a nonfiction book used to raise awareness of all the homeless children around the world. I thought it was really clever that the author placed the name of the country on the page inconspicuously because it does not matter where the child live. A child is a child and is in desperately in need of a home and safe environment that they can poster in.

What can you do to help bring awareness to children and families in need? ( )

Where Will I Live? by Rosemary McCarney is a heart wrenching book that had me choking sobs back as I read it. Although there is only about a half a sentence per page, it is the dynamic and powerful images that tell the story. It simply asks the child where am I to sleep, who will be my friends, will I have a bed, where will be my home, and will I be welcome by you? But all the questions are framed differently of course, but the message is there and the images show what they have to go through to find a home. Adults will see the side of hopelessness and inability of trying to protect the young from something out of our control. Children will probably connect to the children in the book and wonder what would happen to me if this is to happen, a good empathy lesson. Compassion tenderly growing. A great book to spread the empathy for this much needed cause. The world needs more love and caring attitude. Compassion breeds action. Action breeds solutions. The money this book brings goes toward refugee children's programs around the world. Thanks NetGalley and Second Story Press for allowing me to read this book. ( )