The Suitcase

by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros (Author)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

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

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

School Library Journal

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

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"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
Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Chris is originally from Bradford, UK and studied illustration and graphic design at Bradford College of Art. In 2000 he moved to France where, among other things, he was an English teacher before working in newspaper layout and design.

When his children were small he realized he loved the picture books he read to them, sometimes even more than his children did -- the Picture Book Bug had truly bitten.

Chris has since written and illustrated several books and is currently thinking about the next one, probably with a cup of tea in hand at home near Limoges, France.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780358329602
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
September 20, 2020
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV039250 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emigration & Immigration
JUV013090 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Alternative Family
Library of Congress categories
-

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!