9 June 2026 TAKING FLIGHT by Kashmira Sheth and Nicolò Carozzi, ill., Penguin Random House/Dial, April 2026, 33p., ISBN: 979-8-217-00388-4

“The Trump administration is now subjecting refugees and immigrants living in the United States and their communities to the same kind of abuses many refugees once fled. Guided by xenophobia and racism, the Trump administration is targeting all immigrants, regardless of their legal status, deep community connections, or criminal record. This is not just an attack on immigrants; it is an attack on American communities and ideals that makes everyone less safe.”

– International Refugee Assistance Project

“Nobody living can ever stop me,

As I go walking that freedom highway;

Nobody living can ever make me turn back

This land was made for you and me.”

– Woody Guthrie (1956)

“You might have come from a highland home, where clouds dance with snowy peaks, and shed tears as you hug your grandmother, gathering her warmth in your fists.

You might have said goodbye to teammates from your cozy village, surrounded by cotton fields as you drifted across the ocean, far from the place you belonged.

Maybe you left your beloved city with sparkling, domed-roof churches. And when you grabbed your doll and fled, it was to the loud BOOMs of war, and a flock of pigeons taking flight.

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 is well-worth adding to elementary collections on account of the book’s exceptional artwork. Nicolò Carozzi’s digitally-enhanced graphite-on-paper images are among my absolute favorite illustrations so far this year. The artist is particularly adept at depicting human expressions and emotions. The perfect example involves a striking spread showing, through a new kid’s eyes, what one encounters upon entering a classroom of strangers for the first time: All the strangers are staring back at the intimidated newcomer. 

Mr. Carozzi, being “a Veronese architect, teacher, and illustrator,” is not eligible for consideration by the American Library Association’s Caldecott Award committee. Nevertheless, these illustrations are award-quality work.

Definitely, unquestionably, purchase TAKING FLIGHT for its important immigration story. Three young immigrants of varying hues each travel here with their respective families from the mountains of Tibet, the cotton fields of Syria, and a city in Ukraine.

Unfortunately, the United States has a national heritage of demonizing and mistreating groups of immigrants. My maternal grandparents suffered such prejudice upon their late-19th-century arrivals from Sicily. Similar stories have been, and still are, being handed down by immigrants and descendants of those who have previously come from all corners of the globe, seeking a little piece of the American Dream..

After each of the story’s three immigrant children spends time in a refugee camp, these young people must begin their new lives in America.

“You don’t understand a word any of these strange people are saying as they whoosh by. You feel lost without the familiar touches, tastes, sights, sounds, and smells of the past and wonder how you will survive here.”

How do they survive, adjust, and get over the strangeness and prejudice? It’s repeatedly thanks to generous, kind, and empathetic schoolmates, who are already here, who befriend the newcomers, taking them into their cliques, and making them feel at home. Because kids are kids are kids, no matter what color, language, or religion they’ve been born into. 

Whether or not TAKING FLIGHT wins awards is secondary to the fact that each time some young student reads or is read this beautiful and valuable immigration story, there is a better chance that some innocent newcomer is going to be treated more kindly and have a far greater chance to learn and prosper to the benefit of us all. Thus, I urge you to get, read, and share this excellent picture book.

Richie Partington, MLIS

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