New books to help explain Migrants and War to children

Two very heavy words dominating the news and conversations around the country at the moment are Migrants and War.  Words that reach young ears and prompt very important questions such as "What is a Migrant? Why is there War".

Not every parent will know how to answer these questions, we are not all "perfect parents of Insta".  We can explain the best we can, give our views and try and guide our children, but we don't need to do it alone thanks to Eduard Altarriba and Button Books.

What is War? April 2023 • PB with flaps • RRP £9.99 • for kids aged +8 • ISBN 9781787081284
Migrants April 2023 • PB with flaps • RRP £9.99 • for kids aged +8 • ISBN 9781787081291

What is War? 

What is War? is a book designed to offer a simple answer to all the questions kids might ask when hearing about war and conflict on the news.  Why do countries or different ideological groups fight? What are the key points between different types of conflict? Is there such a thing as a just war? What are the tools used to wage war, from weapons to propaganda? How can we end wars, and who are the real winners and losers? 

What is War? tells the reader through clear explanations punctuated by historical and contemporary examples of what war is and how it can be prevented. 

Migrants

Migrants is a book designed to provide an easy-to-understand explanation for all the doubts kids might have when they hear about the ‘migrant crisis’ on the news.  Humanity was nomadic for 99% of its existence.  

Sedentary life, national borders and the creation of identity documents for increasingly stricter population control are comparatively recent phenomena, and paradoxical given that the world is becoming ever more globalized.  The recent emergence of populist movements in the West that are focused on closing borders and rejecting others raises serious questions about our sense of fraternity, especially when we could be facing ever-larger migration movements due to the climate crisis. 

Migrants concisely explains what migration is, its causes and consequences, and the humanistic and legal aspects regarding it in the simplest, most objective ways possible, so that children have all the information they need to understand the world around them.

My Thoughts

Although seemingly slim books, they pack a punch and are filled with so much information in an easy-to-read format.  A feel of stepping into the TARDIS with so much to see from such a small exterior.

These books can be used as guides for parents and carers to read with children, to prompt conversion, or answer their important questions and put their minds at rest. 

War has a special segment on Syria and Ukraine, making this book extremely relevant and current.  To complement What is War, Migrants goes into detail from colonising to people leaving their war-torn homes.

About the Author Eduard Altarriba

Eduard Altarriba is a graphic designer and illustrator. He runs Alababalà, a Barcelona-based independent studio producing games, exhibitions, animation, apps and workbooks for children that are practical and fun. He is the illustrator of the award-winning and bestselling children’s science picture book My First Book of Quantum Physics and the rest of the My First Book of Science series from Button Books.

Pros:  Turning current affairs into bitesize understanding

Cons: None

Rachael Jess gives these two books 5 out of 5.