Taking Flight
Written by Kashmira Sheth
Illustrated by Nicolò Carozzi
Published by Dial Books
A moving and stunningly illustrated exploration of the refugee experience, through the eyes of those most impacted: children
No matter where you started,
leaving was hard—so was the journey.
And when you finally reached safety,
you were hungry, thirsty, worn-out.
Ready for rest.
Taking Flight offers an intimate look at being a refugee by following three different children. From the mountains of Tibet, the cotton fields in Syria, and a city in Ukraine, families pack their bags and say goodbye to their homes as they leave in search of safety. Although they don’t know what the future holds—maybe an extended time in a refugee camp or a long journey to a place with a new language—they hope that it will be a place they can call home.
Told in second person, directly addressing a displaced child, and with deeply evocative illustrations from Nicolò Carozzi, Taking Flight is a timely and necessary story that offers gentle reassurance and hope for readers.
Primary ISBN: 9798217003884
Publication Date: April 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older
Community Represented: Syrian/Syrian American, Tibetan/Tibetan American, Ukrainian/Ukrainian American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Cross-Group Friendship, Family Relationship: Parents, Identity: Multilingual, Mental Health, Refugee Journey, Refugee: War/Conflict, Setting: Home Country, Setting: Refugee Camp, Trauma & Healing, Welcoming by Community
Setting: Tibet, Syria, Ukraine, Unspecified (Western Country)
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Refugee, On Journey, Refugee Camp
Click here for details about how we define our titles.
Engagement Projects & Resources:
Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.