Salma Makes a Home - Book 1 of The Salma Series | Heartwarming Children's Story About Family & Belonging | Perfect for Bedtime Reading & Classroom Storytime

In this story, Salma and her mother are settled in Canada after leaving Syria, but her father is just now joining them. Salma reacts negatively to his longing for their former home because she is so desperate to convince him to like where she and her mother are now. Over time, she learns that she can hold onto her limited memories of life in Syria and consider two places home.The emotional conflicts in the book are realistic but intense, without much to lighten to the story. The cute illustrations and family-oriented focus made me think of the Mindy Kim series by Lyla Lee, but unlike that series, which has lots of uplifting moments and fun everyday details, this one is mostly about hardship and difficult emotions. This is great for kids who are experiencing similar things, and can help others grow in compassion and understanding. However, someone who is just looking for a diverse early chapter book should know that this book is mostly heavy, without many lighter elements.