Mina Belongs Here

by Sandra Niebuhr-Siebert, Lars Baus (Illustrator)

Overview

"Tender, lyrical text brings to life moments that many immigrants will recognize... visually engaging." — Kirkus Reviews

Mina is worried about starting a kindergarten in her new country where the only word she can understand is her name. A warm and emotive story that explores how sharing a language can encourage a sense of belonging through a gentle story and lively illustrations.

At Mina's kindergarten she listens to stories, songs and chatter in an unfamiliar language. She tries out sounds that roar in her throat and tickle her tongue until the new words feel like her own. Then one day, Mina realises that this language now belongs to her, and she belongs to this new world.

Mina Belongs Here is a heartfelt and uplifting story of a migrant experience and discovering a sense of belonging through shared words. The expressive illustrations begin in muted monochrome, slowly transforming to vibrant color as Mina's understanding grows.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782508113
Publisher:	Floris Books
Publication date:	05/16/2023
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.60(w) x 9.80(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Sandra Niebuhr-Siebert is an eminent professor, linguist and children's author from Germany. Her career has included speech therapy and teaching at numerous universities, and she is currently the honorary head of the reading jury for the KIMI seal, for diversity in children's books. Mina Belongs Here is her first picture book, inspired by Sandra's extensive research into multilingualism in childcare and educational settings.

Lars Baus is an illustrator from Bavaria, Germany. He studied illustration and animation at the Munster Academy of Art. Lars has worked as a graphic designer and a freelance illustrator and is the illustrator of several children's books.

Editorial Reviews

A School Library Journal Best Picture Book of 2023

The 2024 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year

'This tender, lyrical text brings to life moments that many immigrants will recognize... A visually engaging, rose-colored exploration of the immigrant experience.' — Kirkus Reviews

'Lyrical and uplifting text combined with gorgeous artwork masterfully tells a story of a young child struggling in a new environment and eventually gaining self-confidence and friendship of others.' — School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

'The expressive illustrations start out in monochrome gray tones. Gradually the scenes become more colorful and, ultimately, quite vibrant as Mina slowly picks up her new language and begins to feel part of the group... This appealing picture book reflects the experiences of many immigrant children throughout the world.' — Booklist

'A heartfelt and uplifting story of a migrant experience and discovering a sense of belonging through shared words. The expressive illustrations begin in muted monochrome, slowly transforming to vibrant color as Mina's understanding grows.' —The Concord Bookshop, Picture Book Pick of the Week

'The illustrations interweave seamlessly with the story, becoming more and more colourful as Mina's ability to communicate and her sense of belonging grow.' — Five Books

'A gentle picture book of adaptation and change. Libraries and young readers seeking stories about integration and acceptance will find Mina Belongs Here both entertaining and thought-provoking.' —Midwest Book Review

'The illustrations are simple yet subtly complex, adding additional details to the story.' — School Library Connection

'The illustrations stretch and adapt with the storyline – muted and monochrome when Mina is struggling to find her place in this new environment; bold, bright, enchanting and expressive when her understanding grows. The mesmerising colours and the beautifully crafted dialogue are a perfect match.' — Sienna's Little Library

'A sweet story that uses simple text and effective illustrations to help... put children into the shoes of an immigrant girl, who slowly realizes that she now belongs in this new home as well.'—All Done Monkey

From the Publisher

2023-02-08
An English language learner adjusts to her new home.

When Mina, a tan-skinned, dark-haired girl, starts kindergarten at a new school, she is riddled with anxiety (it’s implied she and her family are recent immigrants, though Mina’s ethnicity, homeland, and native tongue are never mentioned). Her classroom is full of noise and movement, and Mina doesn’t understand what anyone is saying. She doesn’t get to speak her own language until her mother picks her up at the end of the day. When she’s finally able to communicate, she talks and talks. As time passes, Mina and her diverse classmates work around the child’s initial lack of English, and Mina tries out words she’s learning in English. Mastering the language helps Mina feel like she belongs in her new world—so much so that when a new student joins the class, Mina is the first to welcome him. This tender, lyrical text brings to life moments that many immigrants will recognize, though it is a shade on the optimistic side—Mina’s frustration, sadness, and anxiety are a bit glossed over. The illustrations chart Mina’s journey to near fluency in English; when the book starts, her classroom is illustrated in mostly gray monotones, but more color is added as the narrative progresses. Her vivid dreams—scenes in blue of a school of fish swimming across the page—are an especially nice touch. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A visually engaging, rose-colored exploration of the immigrant experience. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews