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Migrant
Each spring Anna leaves her home in Mexico and travels north with her family where they will work on farms. Sometimes she feels like a bird, flying north in the spring and south in the fall. Sometimes she feels like a jack rabbit living in an abandoned burrow, as her family moves into an empty house near the fields. But most of all she wonders what it would be like to stay in one place.
The Low German-speaking Mennonites from Mexico are a unique group of migrants who moved from Canada to Mexico in the 1920s and became an important part of the farming community there. But it has become increasingly difficult for them to earn a livelihood, and so they come back to Canada each year as migrant workers in order to survive. And while they currently have the right to work in Canada, that right may be challenged. Working conditions are difficult for all migrant workers, most of whom have to leave families far behind. And yet countries like Canada and the United States benefit greatly from their labor.
Beautifully written by Maxine Trottier and imaginatively illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, this book describes what it is like to be a child in a migrant family.
The Low German-speaking Mennonites from Mexico are a unique group of migrants who moved from Canada to Mexico in the 1920s and became an important part of the farming community there. But it has become increasingly difficult for them to earn a livelihood, and so they come back to Canada each year as migrant workers in order to survive. And while they currently have the right to work in Canada, that right may be challenged. Working conditions are difficult for all migrant workers, most of whom have to leave families far behind. And yet countries like Canada and the United States benefit greatly from their labor.
Beautifully written by Maxine Trottier and imaginatively illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, this book describes what it is like to be a child in a migrant family.
34 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2011
5 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
About the author
Maxine Trottier
55 books29 followersMaxine Trottier is the award-winning writer of numerous books for young people, including Claire's Gift (winner of the Mr. Christie's Book Award), Laura: A Childhood Tale of Laura Secord, the Circle of Silver Chronicles, and The Tiny Kite of Eddy Wing (winner of the CLA Book of the Year Award).
A former teacher and an avid sailor, Maxine has long been fascinated by history. She is now an associate member of La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan, whose purpose is "to honour the memory of these courageous people." While researching Alone in an Untamed Land, Maxine discovered that she herself is directly descended from a fille du roi.
Maxine lives in the small outport of Newman's Cove in Newfoundland, with her husband William and their Yorkie Moon.
A former teacher and an avid sailor, Maxine has long been fascinated by history. She is now an associate member of La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan, whose purpose is "to honour the memory of these courageous people." While researching Alone in an Untamed Land, Maxine discovered that she herself is directly descended from a fille du roi.
Maxine lives in the small outport of Newman's Cove in Newfoundland, with her husband William and their Yorkie Moon.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
March 23, 2019
3.5 stars A family of migrant mennonite workers moves into a farmhouse for the seasons work. The story is told from the viewpoint of a young girl in the family who likens herself to a migratory bird or a rabbit, wonders about the ghosts of former workers who inhabited the house and longs for a permanent home. Whilst the story was evocative and poetic and the illustrations lovely I felt I didn't get to know much of this family's life. There was some information at the back of the book but sadly the library protective cover had been sellotaped on.
January 13, 2018
When we in the U. S. think of migrant farmworkers, we generally think of those south of the border coming up each spring (to do the cheap labor no one else wants to do for that price, so we can afford them). In this story, Maxine Trottier, tells of a group of migrant farmworkers I was unaware of, The Low German-speaking Mennonites from Mexico whom she saw working in Ontario when she summered there from her home in Newfoundland. I don't think I ever knew about this group! (And I'm tempted to say that because they are white our current administration might object to them less here?)
The story is told from the perspective of a child who would prefer not to be moving all the time. Given the millions now tragically in transit around the world, this is an important topic. The writing is perfectly fine, but the illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault are special, sort of ethereal, feather-light, with pastels favoring blue and orange. Of the heart, as they always are for her. An antidote for hate.
The story is told from the perspective of a child who would prefer not to be moving all the time. Given the millions now tragically in transit around the world, this is an important topic. The writing is perfectly fine, but the illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault are special, sort of ethereal, feather-light, with pastels favoring blue and orange. Of the heart, as they always are for her. An antidote for hate.
December 20, 2018
Now I really do very much wish that I were able to grant a higher general star ranking to and for Maxine Trottier's Migrant, as textually, I do very much appreciate and have even quite enjoyed the author's lyrical and full of subdued emotion narrative of young Mennonite itinerant farm labourer Anna trying to make sense of her world, of how she often feels out of place, and rootless, like a migrating bird always moving from place to place with her family in order to find seasonal work labouring on Canadian farmers' fields, or like a jackrabbit living in an abandoned burrow, similar to how her own family usually has to end up making do with empty and decrepitly shabby farm houses that often do not even have the basic amenities (although I certainly also do wish that the author's note at the back of Migrant, whilst definitely an added bonus, would be both a bit more informational and also include a list of books for further study and reading, as while Maxine Trottier does provide a decent enough introduction to the subject of itinerant Mexican Mennonite farm labourers making yearly trips back to Canada in order to find sufficient farm labour work to make ends meet, this really does just scratch the proverbial surface so to speak and very much leaves me both wanting and needing a bit more).
However and my general appreciation of Maxine Trottier's printed words, my in many ways even very lovingly massive enjoyment of her presented and featured text notwithstanding, I really have not AT ALL liked Isabelle Arsenault's accompanying illustrations. For while indeed her pictures are colourful and imaginatively rendered, I for one actually seem to find them rather aesthetically creepy (with especially Arsenault's human figures and how she has drawn and depicted their facial features not only absolutely not to my aesthetic tastes, but really, in particular the depicted Mennonite farmers and their families, they just remind me too much of freakily staring unnatural looking paper dolls for me to be able to consider Migrant with more than two stars, as in truth, I really cannot personally stand Isabelle Arsenault's pictorials here and do find them visually so off-putting that even my personal reading pleasure of Maxine Trottier's narrative has been both lastingly and actually also more than somewhat negatively affected).
However and my general appreciation of Maxine Trottier's printed words, my in many ways even very lovingly massive enjoyment of her presented and featured text notwithstanding, I really have not AT ALL liked Isabelle Arsenault's accompanying illustrations. For while indeed her pictures are colourful and imaginatively rendered, I for one actually seem to find them rather aesthetically creepy (with especially Arsenault's human figures and how she has drawn and depicted their facial features not only absolutely not to my aesthetic tastes, but really, in particular the depicted Mennonite farmers and their families, they just remind me too much of freakily staring unnatural looking paper dolls for me to be able to consider Migrant with more than two stars, as in truth, I really cannot personally stand Isabelle Arsenault's pictorials here and do find them visually so off-putting that even my personal reading pleasure of Maxine Trottier's narrative has been both lastingly and actually also more than somewhat negatively affected).
May 19, 2015
I think that Migrant is beautifully told. It is so poetic and touching; I loved how the girl likened herself to various animals they encounter and how the hardships of their life were touched upon but that there was also some coziness to the family working so closely together.
I do feel that, as a stand-alone, the story fails in fully conveying the story of these farm workers, though. If one knew absolutely nothing about it going into the story (as, I suppose, most children would) it leaves many holes. The Author's Note does help some, but I wanted more. Fortunately, we are in the age of the internet where we can do more research but I still wish that the book had provided a bit more. It was excellent in conveying the feeling and experience of the girl, though.
As for the illustrations, they were not my personal cup of tea, but I really appreciated them and felt they really helped to bring the text alive; I appreciated the Russian influences and the illustration that really sticks in my mind is of all the girls snuggled up in bed like kittens.
I do feel that, as a stand-alone, the story fails in fully conveying the story of these farm workers, though. If one knew absolutely nothing about it going into the story (as, I suppose, most children would) it leaves many holes. The Author's Note does help some, but I wanted more. Fortunately, we are in the age of the internet where we can do more research but I still wish that the book had provided a bit more. It was excellent in conveying the feeling and experience of the girl, though.
As for the illustrations, they were not my personal cup of tea, but I really appreciated them and felt they really helped to bring the text alive; I appreciated the Russian influences and the illustration that really sticks in my mind is of all the girls snuggled up in bed like kittens.
June 1, 2014
"Low German-speaking Mennonites from Mexico are a unique group of migrants who moved from Canada to Mexico in the 1920s"
Lookit that, I haven't even read the book yet, and already I learned something! And I was only choosing it because of loving the artist's work in Virginia Wolf.
******* After reading
Unfortunately, that's basically all the info about Low German-speaking Mennonites who moved from Canada to Mexico in the 1920s that you get. In fact, that's just the blurb, it isn't in the text itself. And there's an end note with really not more information, just more words.
The story insofar as there is one is a very general portrayal of the migrant-worker experience. Lots of moving, new and often not-so-nice accommodations, not understanding the language. Suitable for introducing the idea to small children I guess. Since I grew up in an area with lots of immigrant and migrant families it didn't tell me anything new. It was mild and did not cast blame and I suppose could help make children more sensitive to how migrant classmates* might feel out of place.
*Although the kids in this book did not seem to go to school. Wikipedia lists Canada's imposition of compulsory school attendance as one of the main reasons the Mennonites emigrated.
Lookit that, I haven't even read the book yet, and already I learned something! And I was only choosing it because of loving the artist's work in Virginia Wolf.
******* After reading
Unfortunately, that's basically all the info about Low German-speaking Mennonites who moved from Canada to Mexico in the 1920s that you get. In fact, that's just the blurb, it isn't in the text itself. And there's an end note with really not more information, just more words.
The story insofar as there is one is a very general portrayal of the migrant-worker experience. Lots of moving, new and often not-so-nice accommodations, not understanding the language. Suitable for introducing the idea to small children I guess. Since I grew up in an area with lots of immigrant and migrant families it didn't tell me anything new. It was mild and did not cast blame and I suppose could help make children more sensitive to how migrant classmates* might feel out of place.
*Although the kids in this book did not seem to go to school. Wikipedia lists Canada's imposition of compulsory school attendance as one of the main reasons the Mennonites emigrated.
May 5, 2015
Migrant is written by Maxine Trottier and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. It is a children's book based upon the seasonal migration of Mennonites living in Mexico to perform agricultural work in Canada. I actually like this book a lot. Back in my homeschooling days, this would have been one of those books sitting in the center of an informational web. I'm thinking of children ages 4 - 6, but older children and adults can move with the book as well. First, I would point out Mexico, the US, Canada on a map. After reading the Wikipedia article on the history of Mennonites in Mexico, I might point out Russia, too.
[Aside: I knew there were Mennonites in Mexico because I saw the Carlos Reygadas film "Silent Light" - excellent, but not for kids.]
I would pre-read about quilting-particularly the flying geese patterns - monarch butterflies, jackrabbits. Then get to the book - Arsenault's illustrations and their subtle allusions really make the book for me. The flying geese quilt pattern motif, Trottier's text with migrating monarch butterflies, the vaguely Russian feel that the artwork achieves, along with the depiction of a really imaginative child navigating an alien world all combine to make something lovely, subtle, that invites future learning, imagining, thinking
[Aside: I knew there were Mennonites in Mexico because I saw the Carlos Reygadas film "Silent Light" - excellent, but not for kids.]
I would pre-read about quilting-particularly the flying geese patterns - monarch butterflies, jackrabbits. Then get to the book - Arsenault's illustrations and their subtle allusions really make the book for me. The flying geese quilt pattern motif, Trottier's text with migrating monarch butterflies, the vaguely Russian feel that the artwork achieves, along with the depiction of a really imaginative child navigating an alien world all combine to make something lovely, subtle, that invites future learning, imagining, thinking
November 25, 2011
Migrant by Maxine Trottier, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault is a story told by Anna, the youngest child of Mennonites from Mexico, who have come north to harvest fruit and vegetables.
Anna, the youngest child of low German speaking Mennonite migrant workers from Mexico, often compares her life to animals. At times, Anna feels like a bird, flying north in the Spring and south in the Fall, or like a jackrabbit in an abandoned burrow, since her family occupies an empty farmhouse near the fields, or like a kitten, as she shares a bed with her sisters. Above all Anna wonders what it would be like to be a tree rooted deeply in the earth, watching the seasons come and go, instead of being like a "feather in the wind."
The poignant text describes the migrant experience through the eyes and imagination of a child. Metaphors and similies are beautifully used in Anna's story. Feelings of being different and not understanding different languages are conveyed. An author's note explains the history of Mexican Mennonites, still retaining Canadian citizenship, who return to Canada to harvest crops each year. The conditions that migrants experience are also discussed.
The illustrations were rendered in mixed media: watercolor, gouache, crayons and collage. The imaginative illustrations depict both reality and the vivid imagination of young Anna. The illustrations evoke a childlike feeling as if Anna composed them herself. My favorite images include geese flying with bonnets and hats, Anna imagining herself as a jackrabbit, a giant jackrabbit jumping out a window, the workers as bees, the scenes in the grocery store, Anna riding a giant cricket, and Anna as a tree.
This book is a evocative look at the life of migrant families, and this Mennonite group in particular. It will not only be useful for language study, but can be a springboard for discussion of the migrant experience and their contributions. I appreciated learning about this group of people of which I had not been aware. I highly recommend this for school and public library collections.
For ages 5 to 10, teachers and librarians, multicultural, language, Mennonites, migrants, similies, mataphors, social issues, and fans of Maxine Trottier and Isabelle Arsenault.
Anna, the youngest child of low German speaking Mennonite migrant workers from Mexico, often compares her life to animals. At times, Anna feels like a bird, flying north in the Spring and south in the Fall, or like a jackrabbit in an abandoned burrow, since her family occupies an empty farmhouse near the fields, or like a kitten, as she shares a bed with her sisters. Above all Anna wonders what it would be like to be a tree rooted deeply in the earth, watching the seasons come and go, instead of being like a "feather in the wind."
The poignant text describes the migrant experience through the eyes and imagination of a child. Metaphors and similies are beautifully used in Anna's story. Feelings of being different and not understanding different languages are conveyed. An author's note explains the history of Mexican Mennonites, still retaining Canadian citizenship, who return to Canada to harvest crops each year. The conditions that migrants experience are also discussed.
The illustrations were rendered in mixed media: watercolor, gouache, crayons and collage. The imaginative illustrations depict both reality and the vivid imagination of young Anna. The illustrations evoke a childlike feeling as if Anna composed them herself. My favorite images include geese flying with bonnets and hats, Anna imagining herself as a jackrabbit, a giant jackrabbit jumping out a window, the workers as bees, the scenes in the grocery store, Anna riding a giant cricket, and Anna as a tree.
This book is a evocative look at the life of migrant families, and this Mennonite group in particular. It will not only be useful for language study, but can be a springboard for discussion of the migrant experience and their contributions. I appreciated learning about this group of people of which I had not been aware. I highly recommend this for school and public library collections.
For ages 5 to 10, teachers and librarians, multicultural, language, Mennonites, migrants, similies, mataphors, social issues, and fans of Maxine Trottier and Isabelle Arsenault.
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April 27, 2015TEXT-TO-SELF CONNECTION: I chose this book because my own relatives descend from Mennonites. Although we are not strongly connected to the Mennonites who have migrated to and from Mexico every spring/fall, we still have some similarities. My grandmother’s first language was Low-German, Anna’s first language, and my mom understands the language (although she doesn’t speak it). My Mennonite relatives talk about feeling cultural difference in some ways similar to Anna: difference in language, large families, religious beliefs, prioritizing frugality, and more.
EXPOSURE TO MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES/VALUES: Readers are exposed to yet another culture whose perspective is that of minority and difference, although not one often foregrounded in literary culture. These migrants are seasonal migrants, who travel to work for part of the year and then return to their permanent homes for the rest of the year. The dress in conservative and older-fashioned ways that cause them to stand out, and their large family sizes also attract attention. Thought they look “white”, they speak another language not easily recognized. And one thing unique about their experience is that they do not settle in one place as migrants but rather are constantly moving, so the Anna, the main character, is constantly adjusting to new and unfamiliar surroundings
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Name some of the animals that Anna feels like?
2) Why is it that Anna’s family moves so much? What are some of the ways this makes her feel?
3) If you could pick some animals/creatures to describe some of the ways you feel sometimes, which animals/creatures would you choose? Why?
4) Why do you think Anna feels like these different animals/creatures?
5) What do you think are some of the positives for Anna of the ways her family lives/ travels? What are some of the negative effects on Anna?
6) Write another section to this story about how Anna’s life is different in the fall when she returns to her permanent home. Imagine how life is different there, the ways she feels when she is not traveling from place to place. Try to incorporate some animals/creatures she might compare herself to differently while in a permanent home.
EXPOSURE TO MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES/VALUES: Readers are exposed to yet another culture whose perspective is that of minority and difference, although not one often foregrounded in literary culture. These migrants are seasonal migrants, who travel to work for part of the year and then return to their permanent homes for the rest of the year. The dress in conservative and older-fashioned ways that cause them to stand out, and their large family sizes also attract attention. Thought they look “white”, they speak another language not easily recognized. And one thing unique about their experience is that they do not settle in one place as migrants but rather are constantly moving, so the Anna, the main character, is constantly adjusting to new and unfamiliar surroundings
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Name some of the animals that Anna feels like?
2) Why is it that Anna’s family moves so much? What are some of the ways this makes her feel?
3) If you could pick some animals/creatures to describe some of the ways you feel sometimes, which animals/creatures would you choose? Why?
4) Why do you think Anna feels like these different animals/creatures?
5) What do you think are some of the positives for Anna of the ways her family lives/ travels? What are some of the negative effects on Anna?
6) Write another section to this story about how Anna’s life is different in the fall when she returns to her permanent home. Imagine how life is different there, the ways she feels when she is not traveling from place to place. Try to incorporate some animals/creatures she might compare herself to differently while in a permanent home.
June 15, 2015
I thought this was an interesting story that shows how a little girl compares her life as part of a migrant farming family with different animals, like jackrabbits, kittens and birds.
The narrative is short and appropriate for children of all ages and the illustrations are terrific. We really enjoyed reading this book together and I really liked the author's note at the end of the story that explains more about the inspiration for the book.
This book was featured as one of the selections for the May 2015 Farmers and Farming-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
The narrative is short and appropriate for children of all ages and the illustrations are terrific. We really enjoyed reading this book together and I really liked the author's note at the end of the story that explains more about the inspiration for the book.
This book was featured as one of the selections for the May 2015 Farmers and Farming-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
May 22, 2015
I knew nothing about the fact that Mennonites moved from Canada to Mexico in the 1920s, and often return to Canada as migrant workers each year. In this picture book Anna imagines herself as various creatures: a bird, a rabbit, a bee, and a kitten, and as the geese fly by, she wonders what it might be like to remain in one place. Some of the language is quite evocative and describes the disorientation experienced by someone whose ears are assaulted by unfamiliar languages. My favorite phrase describing the experience is "...as though a thousand crickets are all singing a differetn song" (unpaginated). The mixed media illustrations feature soft pastels and imaginative renderings of Anna's thoughts.
May 5, 2015
At first I didn't like the illustrations, but after reading Karen's comments in message #35 I am re-thinking my opinion. I still wouldn't hang a framed picture of one of these illustrations in my kid's room, but after knowing about the Russian roots of Mexican Mennonites I can see the influences and they make more sense to me. I liked the concept of this story, the little girl and her struggles to fit in in an ever changing world is something that every kid can relate to - even if they aren't migrant farmers.
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January 5, 2025Really interesting community I wasn't aware of, so that's neat. And I love Isabelle Arsenault's art, but at the same time I find it too precious. That kind of works here, because the story is rather precious itself. I feel like I'd rather read a middle grade novel about this than read this picturebook.
January 11, 2012
فاز كتاب الأطفال هذا بجائزة أفضل الرسومات ولهذا السبب ابتعته لدكتورتي.
غير أنني الآن، وبعد التفكير في النص وصوت الطفلة آنا، تتبادر إلى ذهني صورٌ لأبناء المقيمين في بلادنا وهم كثرة! هل فكرنا فيهم ياترى؟ هل يعلم أطفالنا بوجودهم؟؟
غير أنني الآن، وبعد التفكير في النص وصوت الطفلة آنا، تتبادر إلى ذهني صورٌ لأبناء المقيمين في بلادنا وهم كثرة! هل فكرنا فيهم ياترى؟ هل يعلم أطفالنا بوجودهم؟؟
June 10, 2019
Anna and her Mennonite family migrate every year from their farms in Mexico to work in Canada's fields. Still citizens of Canada, which they left in the 1920s, they come for the work that will help them survive in their adopted home, where life is hard. Anna wonders about many things, chief amongst them what it would feel like to be settled. She sometimes feels shy and out of place amongst Canada's English-speaking people - her community speak Low German, or Plautdietsch - but she also enjoys hearing unfamiliar words and tones. Eventually, at the end of the season, her family migrates again...
Migrant pairs an emotionally rich but understated narrative from author Maxine Trottier with lovely artwork from illustrator Isabelle Arsenault, poignantly depicting the emotional life of a child of migrant workers. I was unaware of this community of Mennonites, before picking up the book, and although I didn't learn much more about them specifically - something I have seen criticized - I felt that the story was successful in exploring, not just the emotional costs of this kind of work, but also the feeling of being set apart, when one belongs to a small religious minority. The artwork is beautiful, ably capturing Anna's flights of fancy, whether she is imagining herself and her sisters as kittens, or her family as migrating birds. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books that offer a gentle introduction to the idea of migrant work and workers.
Migrant pairs an emotionally rich but understated narrative from author Maxine Trottier with lovely artwork from illustrator Isabelle Arsenault, poignantly depicting the emotional life of a child of migrant workers. I was unaware of this community of Mennonites, before picking up the book, and although I didn't learn much more about them specifically - something I have seen criticized - I felt that the story was successful in exploring, not just the emotional costs of this kind of work, but also the feeling of being set apart, when one belongs to a small religious minority. The artwork is beautiful, ably capturing Anna's flights of fancy, whether she is imagining herself and her sisters as kittens, or her family as migrating birds. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books that offer a gentle introduction to the idea of migrant work and workers.
February 4, 2014
“The title of the book we are about to read by Maxine Trottier is "Migrant." We have talked about migrants in our story “In the Fields” this week. Who can tell me what a migrant worker is?”
Pause for student response.
“That’s right! Migrants are people who move from place to place to find work as the seasons change. Based on the title of this book and the picture on the cover, what do you think this story is going to be about?”
Pause for student responses.
“As I read this story, I want you to notice the illustrations and how the author uses figurative language throughout. It is unusual because she uses only animal metaphors. On the surface, the story may confuse you at times with phrases such as “sometimes Anna is a kitten.” The author is comparing Anna to a kitten and not saying that she is literally a kitten, right? With that in mind, I want you to think about the deeper meaning of the story. Why did the author choose to compare Anna and her family to different kinds of animals? Why did she choose certain animals instead of others? If you were in Anna’s shoes, what animal would you compare yourself to? Be ready to share your answers to some of these questions when the story is over.”
-Prompt predictions based on the title
-Draw attention to writer’s craft
-Raise questions to spark curiosity
I chose this book for my text set because it pairs with the story “In the Fields” in our Pearson guided reading curriculum. The story touches on the hardships faced by a family of migrant workers and this book focuses in on the feelings of a little girl in a migrant worker family.
(2011, April 1). Booklist. http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID...
Pause for student response.
“That’s right! Migrants are people who move from place to place to find work as the seasons change. Based on the title of this book and the picture on the cover, what do you think this story is going to be about?”
Pause for student responses.
“As I read this story, I want you to notice the illustrations and how the author uses figurative language throughout. It is unusual because she uses only animal metaphors. On the surface, the story may confuse you at times with phrases such as “sometimes Anna is a kitten.” The author is comparing Anna to a kitten and not saying that she is literally a kitten, right? With that in mind, I want you to think about the deeper meaning of the story. Why did the author choose to compare Anna and her family to different kinds of animals? Why did she choose certain animals instead of others? If you were in Anna’s shoes, what animal would you compare yourself to? Be ready to share your answers to some of these questions when the story is over.”
-Prompt predictions based on the title
-Draw attention to writer’s craft
-Raise questions to spark curiosity
I chose this book for my text set because it pairs with the story “In the Fields” in our Pearson guided reading curriculum. The story touches on the hardships faced by a family of migrant workers and this book focuses in on the feelings of a little girl in a migrant worker family.
(2011, April 1). Booklist. http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID...
May 26, 2015
I thought the language in this book was beautiful...the analogies that Anna uses to describe being a migrant seemed to perfectly depict her emotions. My children were especially interested in her describing her sisters and herself as kittens sharing the same bed. I loved her description of the tree: "What would it be like to be a tree with roots sunk deeply into the earth--to watch the seasons passing around you the same way the wind passes through your branches?" It must be so difficult to move from place to place...two different countries!...and not really speak the language of either country and not feel rooted to one spot. Something that I typically take for granted.
While the illustrations are not in a style that I would typically be drawn to, I thought they worked so well with Anna's imaginings that she is a jackrabbit, a cricket, or a bird. I thought they fit the text wonderfully.
Unfortunately, a chunk of the author's note was covered by the dust jacket and since it was a library copy, the dust jacket can't be removed. I would have liked to be able to read all of it to my children because they have little background knowledge about migrant workers or Mennonites.
While the illustrations are not in a style that I would typically be drawn to, I thought they worked so well with Anna's imaginings that she is a jackrabbit, a cricket, or a bird. I thought they fit the text wonderfully.
Unfortunately, a chunk of the author's note was covered by the dust jacket and since it was a library copy, the dust jacket can't be removed. I would have liked to be able to read all of it to my children because they have little background knowledge about migrant workers or Mennonites.
June 5, 2012
I thought this book was really good because I think that a lot of kids can relate to this story. The primary audience for this book would be 1-4 grades. I think this story would especially appeal to kids that are from a different country or their parents are from a different country. They may imagine their lives just as the main character in the book does.
August 26, 2013
Beautifully written, lovely illustrations. I liked that it was about the Low German speaking Mennonites from Mexico that retained their Canadian citizenship, a very interesting group of people. It's a good book for starting a dialogue with your children. Very sad though, from the perspective of the little girl who wishes she could have roots somewhere instead of living a migrant lifestyle.
September 3, 2011
in the 1920's, Canadian Mennonites moved to Mexico and became part of the farm communities there. Today, they must travel as migrant farm workers in order to survive. This delicate book follows the story of Anna, and her life as the child of migrant workers. Rich with figurative language.
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August 12, 2011The author and the illustrator have their special way to explain to young children what a migrant worker's life is like. The migrant workers described in this book are a group known as "Mennonites", who kept their citizenship as Canadians as they moved back to Mexico in the 1920s.
September 20, 2011
This book feels important. Not sure many kids understand the migrant working culture. Excited to read this book aloud to my fourth graders.
October 22, 2015
Absolutely stunning little book depicting a life that needs more light cast on it. Soaring, sweeping prose meets delicate, airy art for a very special story.
April 11, 2025
The author’s note at the end of the book is almost better than the picture book itself!
April 18, 2018
This picture book that tells the story of Anna, the youngest child of a Mennonite family from Mexico that routinely travels north to Canada to work as migrant farm hands. Throughout the story Anna compares her life to those of animals but ends the book by contemplating what it would feel like to instead be a tree, rooted to the ground, unmoving, watching the seasons change.
I really enjoyed this unique, childlike introduction to the Mennonite culture. The illustrations and text were simple, and the element of imagination was easy to see. The authors note, and two page spread at the end give the reader an even more in depth look at this culture. I do, however wish that this more in-depth information had been included throughout the book. I would have loved to have known Anna’s thoughts on her migration and work as a migrant worker.
I would love to use this book in a series of mini-lessons about new cultures. Ideally, I would read the book out loud to the class and use it as a jumping off point to discuss what animals they feel share aspects of their own cultures. I would then have students take a closer look at the illustrations and create a drawing, inspired by Arsenault’s images, of an animal they feel represents them. The students would also include a description underneath their illustration. Then I would collect the illustrations and compile them into a book representing the cultures of the classroom.
I really enjoyed this unique, childlike introduction to the Mennonite culture. The illustrations and text were simple, and the element of imagination was easy to see. The authors note, and two page spread at the end give the reader an even more in depth look at this culture. I do, however wish that this more in-depth information had been included throughout the book. I would have loved to have known Anna’s thoughts on her migration and work as a migrant worker.
I would love to use this book in a series of mini-lessons about new cultures. Ideally, I would read the book out loud to the class and use it as a jumping off point to discuss what animals they feel share aspects of their own cultures. I would then have students take a closer look at the illustrations and create a drawing, inspired by Arsenault’s images, of an animal they feel represents them. The students would also include a description underneath their illustration. Then I would collect the illustrations and compile them into a book representing the cultures of the classroom.
September 23, 2012
This book was about a little girl and her family who have to travel north every year to work in Canada. At the end of the book it goes into more detail about what specifically happened to Migrant families during the 1920's. I thought that this would be a good book to read to the students to help them understand that while it doesn't happen as much now, Canada and the United States were countries that held major opportunities for people who needed work from other countries. I would use this book for grades 2-4 just because younger students probably wouldn't understand and older children probably wouldn't appreciate the book as it should be. This book would be a good way to show students the different nationalities and ethnicities that are all around us, which are mostly the result of Migration. It would be important for kids to realize that geese and other animals aren't the only ones who migrate, sometimes families have no other choice. I feel like this would be a good fit in my classroom because at this age they might realize more that they are different than their classmates surrounding them, but different is okay. Different is what makes us who we are.
December 22, 2016
Migrant is the story of a young girl named Anna, whose Mennonite family migrates from Mexico to Canada to work as seasonal labourers. As the afterword explains, many Mennonites moved from Canada to Mexico in the 1920s in order to retreat from the world, work on farms, and practice their religion. When the farms became unfruitful, they were forced to journey back north to find work.
For Anna, this means an itinerate lifestyle, moving back and forth with her family "like a feather in the wind." Trottier's writing is poetic and wistful, and Arsenault's illustrations are incredibly beautiful:
Still, Anna is left wondering:
For Anna, this means an itinerate lifestyle, moving back and forth with her family "like a feather in the wind." Trottier's writing is poetic and wistful, and Arsenault's illustrations are incredibly beautiful:
Still, Anna is left wondering:
"What would it be like to be a tree with roots sunk deeply into the earth—to watch the season passing around you the same way the wind passes through your branches?"This is a sweet little story, lonely yet optimistic, with an opportunity to discuss different cultures and lifestyles.
May 29, 2012
I really enjoyed this story because of the historical roots, and it allows children to learn what it means to be a migrant. Another review mentioned that they wished the book had a Hispanic bent to resonate with today's children, but I disagree. I think Latino children whose parents are farm workers in the United States will be able to empathize with this story, particularly with the feelings Anna expresses through metaphor. Stories do not have to be so "literal" for children to appreciate. Focusing on a different group also opens children's eyes to the similar problems other groups face. I actually have a teacher friend who teaches remedial seventh grade English who is on a mission to find books focusing on other immigrant groups so they her students' world views can be stretched beyond their immediate surroundings.
The water color illustrations also serve to enhance the poetic nature of the story. This is a good story to read to upper elementary grades and could also be used for middle school-aged children as part of a lesson (metaphor, poetry, social justice, migration, etc.)
The water color illustrations also serve to enhance the poetic nature of the story. This is a good story to read to upper elementary grades and could also be used for middle school-aged children as part of a lesson (metaphor, poetry, social justice, migration, etc.)
July 19, 2012
A rather interesting book, Migrant features a migrant family that is from Mexico but is portrayed with very pale skin and red hair. Apparently this Mennonites family descended from Germans who imigrated to Canada and then Mexico. I found this all a bit confusing since it isn't explained until the author's note at the end, and I didn't know that red hair was typical among these people. While my narrowminded ideas of different types of peopleare at fault, I would have appreciated the explanation to be more up-front and located at the beginning because at first I thought it was more a of fantasy/metaphor type of book. Regardless of my ramblings, I thought the story was well told with good uses of language and appropriately simple text. The illustrations are rather lovely with a sense of fantasy and whisy to the curving shapes and unique palette of reds, blues, and browns. The textures perhaps the best feature of the style, with a wide variety of patterns giving the book a modern folksy feel.
October 28, 2014
This book is about a young girl who travels from Mexico each Spring to farm fruit and vegetables with her family. With each journey Anna feels like a different animal representing various features from the story. For example, she feels like a bird flying south in the Fall with each trip her family takes back home after the harvest season. In all, Anna also wonders what it would feel like to be rooted as a tree is in one, permanent location. This books focuses on the meaning of migrant workers and immigration, and reveals how Anna mainly feels like a “feather in the wind” since her family can leave their locations so easily as the seasons change.
The genres are informational books, realistic fiction, and folktales. The age range for this book is from four to seven years old. Also, the quality of this book is in great relation to my text set theme as it portrays immigrant life styles and family traditions related to migration. This books also tells a narrative about the young child’s experiences with moving from one country to another, while remaining true to her culture.
The genres are informational books, realistic fiction, and folktales. The age range for this book is from four to seven years old. Also, the quality of this book is in great relation to my text set theme as it portrays immigrant life styles and family traditions related to migration. This books also tells a narrative about the young child’s experiences with moving from one country to another, while remaining true to her culture.
April 26, 2016
This is a picture book about a young girl Anna whose family is part of the Low German-speaking Mennonites from Mexico. These Mennonites are a special group of migrants who were able to keep their Canadian citizenship when they moved to Mexico in the 1920s. Anna’s family leaves their home in Mexico every Spring to work on farms in Canada. Throughout the book Anna is compared a bird flying north in the Spring, a jack rabbit living in abandoned burrows, and a kitten sleeping with her sisters. She often wonders what it would be like to have her own bed, or to be a tree being stuck in the ground and watching the seasons go by. I think this would be a good book for ELL students and for them to relate to like the move and not being able to understand a different language as good as their native one. Other students could also relate to this book though because of the not having their own room or moving a lot. This would be a great book to keep on my shelf because of how students can easily relate to it and the illustrations are really cute with the soft pastels.
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