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My Home Is in My Backpack
Clara and her family are forced to leave everything behind in this poignant but hopeful story of forced migration, told through the eyes of a young refugee.
"We all carry our special homes with us – in our backpacks and pockets, and in our hearts."
Every day Clara and her family walk a long way. Sometimes they talk and joke, sometimes they must hide and keep silent. At night, in their village of tents, Clara visits her new friends to hear about their special homes: the things that light up the darkness for them.
But Clara hopes someday soon their journey will end, and she can put down her backpack and find a safe place for her special home to stay.
"We all carry our special homes with us – in our backpacks and pockets, and in our hearts."
Every day Clara and her family walk a long way. Sometimes they talk and joke, sometimes they must hide and keep silent. At night, in their village of tents, Clara visits her new friends to hear about their special homes: the things that light up the darkness for them.
But Clara hopes someday soon their journey will end, and she can put down her backpack and find a safe place for her special home to stay.
36 pages, Hardcover
Published October 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 9, 2025
This account is told from the voice of young Clara. Seeking a safe place to live, she and her family pack up their lives in backpacks snd leave their homeland. Naturally, Clara is sad that she’s left almost everything behind. Her mother tells her that their home is in the things they could bring, their hearts and the memories of the things that have shaped her young life so far. . Also on this difficult journey are many other families seeking a safe place to raise their children.
Share this book with children to communicate empathy and understanding for the many children around the world, like Clara, facing an uncertain future. The illustrations capture the seemingly endless journey and the enormous distances covered, all on foot. Still characters are able to find joy in such difficult circumstances and family love abounds in the simple pleasures of observing nature, singing, baking and telling stories.
This little book has messages and enlightenment for all ages but particularly for children from 5-8 years.
Share this book with children to communicate empathy and understanding for the many children around the world, like Clara, facing an uncertain future. The illustrations capture the seemingly endless journey and the enormous distances covered, all on foot. Still characters are able to find joy in such difficult circumstances and family love abounds in the simple pleasures of observing nature, singing, baking and telling stories.
This little book has messages and enlightenment for all ages but particularly for children from 5-8 years.
January 6, 2026
“We have left our house behind,” he explains, “but our home is special: it is made from the people we love and the things we love doing.”
I checked out this book about Venezuelan refugees last year, not knowing which country it pertained to. What a week for this American to pick it up. I really liked the illustrations and the message that home means different things to everyone, and extends beyond worldly possessions or property to immaterial bonds and memories that we always carry with us.
I have read a fair few immigration and refugee picture books, but the focus of this one on walking long distances day after day is unique, and the juxtaposition of childhood play and imagination with the heartrending fatigue hits hard. It is a beautiful book.
For fans of A Different Pond, Sugar in Milk, Watercress, Homeland, Migrantes, and maybe also Love in the Library.
I checked out this book about Venezuelan refugees last year, not knowing which country it pertained to. What a week for this American to pick it up. I really liked the illustrations and the message that home means different things to everyone, and extends beyond worldly possessions or property to immaterial bonds and memories that we always carry with us.
I have read a fair few immigration and refugee picture books, but the focus of this one on walking long distances day after day is unique, and the juxtaposition of childhood play and imagination with the heartrending fatigue hits hard. It is a beautiful book.
For fans of A Different Pond, Sugar in Milk, Watercress, Homeland, Migrantes, and maybe also Love in the Library.
February 20, 2025
Clara and her family left their home in an unnamed Latin American country to embark on a long and eventful journey, hoping to one day find another home. But this isn't an adventure story about the dangers they encountered along the way. Instead, it is a meditation on the idea that although they left their house, they never left their home behind - they all carry their "special home" with them in their backpacks, pockets, and hearts.
I came across this title while browsing the forthcoming books on Edelweiss+: the English translation will be published later this year. But apparently this is a translation of the original Spanish picturebook, which was published by the Chile-based Amanuta some years ago. And now I am really interested in looking at the original to see how far it has been adapted for a different audience. (What I have already noticed is the choice of a different spread for the cover).
The thing is, since I came across this picturebook, I can't stop thinking about possibly writing something about it in comparison to the Ukrainian picture book "Dim" (Home) by Kateryna Tykhozora and Oleksandr Prodan. Both are about a family of refugees and show their movement from the abandoned previous place of residence to the potential new home. Both are wonderful examples of how words and images can work together in a picturebook to tell the story. Both are wistful meditations on the idea of home. And, most importantly, both conclude that the best you can promise is the opportunity to "park" the home you carry in your backpack and your heart somewhere else in the future. That's certainly a more honest promise than the possibility of returning.
I am grateful to Floris Books for providing me with an eARC through Edelweiss+. The review above is my own opinion.
I came across this title while browsing the forthcoming books on Edelweiss+: the English translation will be published later this year. But apparently this is a translation of the original Spanish picturebook, which was published by the Chile-based Amanuta some years ago. And now I am really interested in looking at the original to see how far it has been adapted for a different audience. (What I have already noticed is the choice of a different spread for the cover).
The thing is, since I came across this picturebook, I can't stop thinking about possibly writing something about it in comparison to the Ukrainian picture book "Dim" (Home) by Kateryna Tykhozora and Oleksandr Prodan. Both are about a family of refugees and show their movement from the abandoned previous place of residence to the potential new home. Both are wonderful examples of how words and images can work together in a picturebook to tell the story. Both are wistful meditations on the idea of home. And, most importantly, both conclude that the best you can promise is the opportunity to "park" the home you carry in your backpack and your heart somewhere else in the future. That's certainly a more honest promise than the possibility of returning.
I am grateful to Floris Books for providing me with an eARC through Edelweiss+. The review above is my own opinion.
October 27, 2025
I think this is the first picture book that I’ve read about immigration. Clara the main character makes this trip seemingly ok, but in reality we all know how tough it would be to leave your country on foot and the unimaginable things they all endure. Nice illustrations.
October 3, 2025
The title "My Home is in a Backpack" by Eugenia Perrella and Angela Salerno tells the story of Clara and her family and their travels. They packed whatever fitted into each backpack. They are off with dozens of other families searching for their next home. Papa reminds his family that their home is always with them. It is made up of the people we love and the things we are passionate about doing. One night Clara decided to ask her friends what they enjoy doing. Juan loves singing while his papa plays the guitar. Soffa likes watching fireflies, Ana likes to play in the water, and Eva loves to sit in her orange hammock. This book tells the story of the transient lifestyle of individuals who live on the move, carrying their essential belongings with them. It reflects a sense of freedom and adaptability, as well as the challenges of finding comfort and stability without a permanent residence. This title captures the essence of a journey where home is defined by the belongings they carry. It also defines the experiences they encounter along the way. The backpack symbolizes the mobility and flexibility required for a transient lifestyle, representing the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. It holds the essentials that provide security and identity, acting as a portable sanctuary. The backpack also signifies the weight of responsibility and the balance between freedom and constraints of carrying one's life on their shoulders. Home can be a feeling of belonging and connection to people rather than a fixed location. It is shaped by the relationships and memories we create, providing a sense of comfort and identity wherever we find ourselves. This perspective emphasizes that home is not limited to physical structures but an emotional and spiritual state that travels with us. Home is ultimately a state of mind, shaped by the connections and memories we carry with us, wherever we go.
January 9, 2026
LOVED THIS BOOK !:)
My Home Is in My Backpack is a tender, empathetic picture book that explores displacement, hope, and belonging through the eyes of a child on the move. Eugenia Perrella and Angela Salerno craft a narrative that is both gentle and emotionally resonant, offering young readers a window into what it means to leave home and carry one’s most precious memories in the only place left—a backpack.
The story follows a young protagonist who must leave their home behind, taking only a few belongings and a heart full of memories. As they navigate unfamiliar places, new languages, and shifting emotions, the backpack becomes more than a bag—it becomes a symbol of identity, resilience, and the pieces of life that travel with us no matter where we go. Through small moments of kindness, friendship, and discovery, the child begins to understand that “home” can be something we build again, even in new places.
Perrella and Salerno write with sensitivity, balancing honesty with comfort to make complex topics accessible to children. Their storytelling respects the experiences of migrants, refugees, and children facing housing instability, while also offering reassurance and warmth.
The illustrations—a soft, expressive blend of color and texture—add emotional depth to the narrative. They convey both the child’s vulnerability and strength, creating visual scenes that invite reflection and empathy. The artwork helps young readers grasp the concept of carrying one’s “home” in memories, relationships, and personal treasures.
Ideal for classrooms, counseling settings, and library programs centered on empathy, global awareness, and social-emotional learning, this book encourages thoughtful conversations about change, identity, and what truly makes a place home.
Verdict: A poignant, beautifully illustrated picture book that honors the resilience of children on the move. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.
My Home Is in My Backpack is a tender, empathetic picture book that explores displacement, hope, and belonging through the eyes of a child on the move. Eugenia Perrella and Angela Salerno craft a narrative that is both gentle and emotionally resonant, offering young readers a window into what it means to leave home and carry one’s most precious memories in the only place left—a backpack.
The story follows a young protagonist who must leave their home behind, taking only a few belongings and a heart full of memories. As they navigate unfamiliar places, new languages, and shifting emotions, the backpack becomes more than a bag—it becomes a symbol of identity, resilience, and the pieces of life that travel with us no matter where we go. Through small moments of kindness, friendship, and discovery, the child begins to understand that “home” can be something we build again, even in new places.
Perrella and Salerno write with sensitivity, balancing honesty with comfort to make complex topics accessible to children. Their storytelling respects the experiences of migrants, refugees, and children facing housing instability, while also offering reassurance and warmth.
The illustrations—a soft, expressive blend of color and texture—add emotional depth to the narrative. They convey both the child’s vulnerability and strength, creating visual scenes that invite reflection and empathy. The artwork helps young readers grasp the concept of carrying one’s “home” in memories, relationships, and personal treasures.
Ideal for classrooms, counseling settings, and library programs centered on empathy, global awareness, and social-emotional learning, this book encourages thoughtful conversations about change, identity, and what truly makes a place home.
Verdict: A poignant, beautifully illustrated picture book that honors the resilience of children on the move. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.
April 16, 2026
This is a beautiful and heart-touching tale. It follows a young girl as her family begins a long journey on foot to leave their homeland. The story remains intentionally vague about the reasons for their departure, where they come from, and where they are going, allowing the focus to remain on the emotional experience rather than the specifics. Through the girl’s eyes, readers witness uncertainty, resilience, and quiet moments of joy.
Along the way, she finds comfort in her papá’s gentle wisdom and in the friendships she forms with others on the same journey. These moments of kindness and companionship, combined with the wisdom imparted by her father, provide a sense of stability for her in an otherwise uncertain world.
The story is reinforced by lovely, expressive illustrations that set the tone and deepen the emotional impact. Together, the text and artwork create a thoughtful and accessible narrative that introduces themes of displacement, perseverance, and human connection in a way that is appropriate for younger readers.
Along the way, she finds comfort in her papá’s gentle wisdom and in the friendships she forms with others on the same journey. These moments of kindness and companionship, combined with the wisdom imparted by her father, provide a sense of stability for her in an otherwise uncertain world.
The story is reinforced by lovely, expressive illustrations that set the tone and deepen the emotional impact. Together, the text and artwork create a thoughtful and accessible narrative that introduces themes of displacement, perseverance, and human connection in a way that is appropriate for younger readers.
September 20, 2025
My Home is My Backpack" takes the difficult and complex subject of forced migration and turns it into a children's book that allows family's to educate their children on an important subject. This book demonstrates how children are so innocent and all they truly want is to be loved. I am moved by this story and how Clara seeks to know what others "special homes" are. The illustrations are captivating and add to the story without needing any more words such as the depiction of migrant caravans.
I am always seeking out children's books that touch on social issues and current events in a way that is digestible for children and allow parents to continue the conversation. We will be purchasing for our family's library.
I am always seeking out children's books that touch on social issues and current events in a way that is digestible for children and allow parents to continue the conversation. We will be purchasing for our family's library.
October 21, 2025
A family must make a long journey, leaving behind their home in search of a new, safer one. The location and circumstances are not described but we can assume they are fleeing somewhere unsafe to be. The family walks with others with their few belongings on their back. But what the little girls finds out, is that they each carry a special home inside them, that holds memories and love from their old homes. And that the houses they left were building, but they are still carrying and bring their homes. The illustrations are a cool style and the book shows this experience might look to a child. I also appreciated that it didn't focus on fear, but the people the family meets and the memories they take with them.
September 2, 2025
Sweet, beautiful story!
Sometimes picture books for children say more in 30 pages with simple words and illustrations than “grown up” books say in hundreds of pages. This book is no exception.
This story is told from the perspective of a young refugee that is forced to migrate with her family. The author of this story shines a small light of hope on heavy and heartbreaking reality.
The illustrations are wonderful. The is simple and yet profound. This is a great book to gently raise awareness about refugees in young kids.
Highly recommend! No content warnings.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book!
Sometimes picture books for children say more in 30 pages with simple words and illustrations than “grown up” books say in hundreds of pages. This book is no exception.
This story is told from the perspective of a young refugee that is forced to migrate with her family. The author of this story shines a small light of hope on heavy and heartbreaking reality.
The illustrations are wonderful. The is simple and yet profound. This is a great book to gently raise awareness about refugees in young kids.
Highly recommend! No content warnings.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book!
November 2, 2025
Powerful message about carrying home with you when you have to leave your own home. This family leaves behind everything that does not fit in their backpacks to escape the situation in their home country. Perrella does not share what that is so the book becomes universal. The images capture the joy and the trials found in the journey. Hope shines through her child main character who tells the story.
November 3, 2025
One of the few books to help explain an abstract idea of migration to children. The illustrations are good especially the “houses”. The story is child friendly and can help a child understand as it is told from Clare’s point of view. The hardships, dangers and uncertainty are not visible at all.
The theme a house is not your “home”. Home is your family, your heart and stuff you can carry with you
The theme a house is not your “home”. Home is your family, your heart and stuff you can carry with you
November 20, 2025
My Home is My Backpack" is a picture book about forced migration as seen through the eyes of a little girl, Clara. Clara is sad about losing her home, but her mother explains that one's special home is what one carries in one's heart, not just one's possessions.
This heartbreaking and beautiful book is based on the experiences of refugees from Venezuela and is a great way to discuss migration and refugees with kids. The illustrations are wonderful.
This heartbreaking and beautiful book is based on the experiences of refugees from Venezuela and is a great way to discuss migration and refugees with kids. The illustrations are wonderful.
January 7, 2026
My Home Is In My Backpack is a moving, inspiring, heartbreaking, and heartwarming read! This book truly tugs on every emotion with its powerful story of hope from a child refugee's eyes. After being told by her family that home is always with her in her backpack and in her heart, one resilient young girl takes the the time to learn about the hobbies and hearts of other children on a journey that mirrors her own. I was truly moved by this book and love everything about it!
February 20, 2026
The images in this book were different and I really enjoyed the colors they used for the background but all the other images in white that really stood out. I think this book can help students understand that all homes look different and it may even mirror some students in the class or stories that they’ve heard
February 6, 2025
una forma distinta de narrar la migración en la literatura infantil. más iluminado y menos directo
September 2, 2025
I loved the creative illustrations. Very unique. The story was good, but this is an example of having the right tone for the artwork that made the combination great. I highly recommend this book.
January 19, 2026
Home is not just the house you live in but all you carry in your heart. This picture book, inspired by refugee experiences in Venezuela, humanizes the situation.
January 20, 2026
This is lovely. I love how it shows how hard emigrating is, without making it all about the trauma & pain.
June 6, 2026
Leaving home is never easy, but it's particularly hard when someone is forced to go. Told from the perspective of Clara, this picture book [3.5 for me!] traces her family's journey after circumstances make it necessary for them to leave. They join a caravan of others in the morning, beginning their journey. The way isn't easy as they must travel a far distance, carrying what they value in their backpacks and sometimes needing to remain quiet in order to avoid detection. To comfort Clara, her parents tell her that their homes are in their backpacks and hearts. While camping, Clara visits other children who are also migrating and learns about what matters to them--"the invisible things they carry in their hearts" (unpaged). The toll the exodus has taken on the family can be measured by comparing the second double-page spread with the very last one. Still, their spirits remain undiminished even as they hope to "find a safe place for our special homes to stay" (unpaged). This story is moving, timely, and hopeful, and the fact that it was inspired in part by photos of Venezuelan refugees fleeing their country makes it all the more significant. Even amid the darkness, there are moments of lightness and something that pushes the darkness away. With intense illustrations that depict some of the physical challenges of the journey as well as those moments of light, this picture book will surely prompt reflection and empathy from readers. Add this moving story to a collection of immigration and refugee titles.
January 19, 2026
maravilloso.
me gusta mucho cuando los libros álbum hace revelaciones a través de la retórica, como en: ¿Entonces, todo lo que nos hace felices nos acompañará por siempre?
esta experiencia lectora es un gran recordatorio de que llevamos nuestra casa dentro de nosotrxs, pero también habitar un espacio físico sin miedo ni discriminación es vital.
(leído en una sala de lectura de la primera edición de la FiLiAZ)
me gusta mucho cuando los libros álbum hace revelaciones a través de la retórica, como en: ¿Entonces, todo lo que nos hace felices nos acompañará por siempre?
esta experiencia lectora es un gran recordatorio de que llevamos nuestra casa dentro de nosotrxs, pero también habitar un espacio físico sin miedo ni discriminación es vital.
(leído en una sala de lectura de la primera edición de la FiLiAZ)
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