America is a land of dreamers. People come here in all kinds of ways, but they come with a dream for a different life. For some children, they come here before they have any idea what is happening. This children’s book about immigration is a exploration of all the ways that people make their way to this country through the eyes of a child.

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We the Dreamers: Nosotros los sonadores was written by Raynelda A. Calderon and illustrated by T. Kutsachenko. The simple text outlines different ways that children are brought to the country, and explores the many emotions those children experience on the journey. The text alternates between English and Spanish, and the illustrations feature a diverse array of families. In the back of the book, readers can learn more about the author and her own journey coming to America as a child.

Related Post: Children’s Books about Immigration & Refugees

I was thrilled to be able to talk to the author about the book and her inspiration!

What inspired you to write this book?

The situation of the DREAMERS inspired me to write this book. I was not born here but came to the United States after finishing high school; however, I was lucky to come to this country by legal means and have not had the difficulties, and the uncertainty that the DREAMERS face. Then I was thinking that they did not choose to come here! Moreover, I was thinking about all the different ways/forms that people come to this country (not counting the reasons!), and the book was born.

Why was it important to have the book written in both English and Spanish?

For me it is important to write all my books in both languages. First, when I write a book I never write it in just one language but a mix of the two. Then I polish it in each language. I want us to keep our language! In addition, I want parents to be able to read to their children (or with them), and many immigrant parents cannot read in English, thus the book is in Spanish to bring them closer together.

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The illustrations are beautiful. Did you work closely with the illustrator?

Usually, when I approach an illustrator, I ask them if they would be interested in illustrating a book. I send them the manuscript and let them take it from there. I do not tell them what type of scene should be on each page. That has worked wonderfully for me because they have a different vision from mine! Sometimes I think, “Oh, the scene for this page should be something like xxx,” and the illustrator comes up with something completely different, and I just love it! For Tatiana, we worked the same way. She drew what she felt inspired by the story and I loved it. By the way, she is from the UK and you can see her amazing work on IG @artstatus_studio.

What do you hope readers take away from this book?

I hope readers can become more understanding, not just for the DREAMERS but immigrants in general.

Where Did You Come From?

This book shows kids that there are many ways that families come to America. Whether by plane, by train, or by foot, many have made long journeys to start a new life. This book offers an opportunity to talk to kids about where they came from and how their families got here. If you already know your family’s history, share it with your kids. If you don’t, this is a great opportunity to spend some time researching your history together.

Learn more about DREAMERS

This book is a great way to introduce the topic of immigration to kids from the perspective of the children brought to America. This can open an important conversation about immigration and the plight of many immigrant children in the country. Learn more about the Dream Act here, and talk to your kids about the immigration changes in the news. Check out some of our favorite books about immigration here.

How do you talk to kids about immigration? Do you have a favorite children’s book about immigration? Please share it in the comments below!

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