Write off children’s books at your peril – they have a quiet, understated power and more often than not tackle big ideas such as identity, belonging and diversity with a warmth and gentleness that invites young readers to explore complex topics without fear or confusion. Hey, Where Are You From? by W. T. Farris is a shining example of this. In a world where identity is frequently reduced to checkboxes or assumptions, this picture book offers a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of what it means to belong. The title of the book asks a simple, yet profound question, but there is no one straightforward answer. Hey, Where Are You From? will spark conversations about the many ways we define “home”.
Hey, Where Are You From? is a beautifully written and illustrated picture book for children aged five and up that reflects the multicultural world we live in. The story centres around a young boy named Max. He has lived in many different places around the globe. When another child asks him, “Hey, where are you from?”, Max doesn’t have a straightforward answer. Instead, the young Max fondly takes readers on a journey through the many places he has called home; lush jungles, sunlit beaches, bustling cities and quiet villages in countries like Senegal, Malaysia and France. Each location has shaped who he is, and each memory adds a layer to his identity, and they have all been “home”.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, finding it to be an interesting and thought-provoking read, one which I think readers of all ages with be able to take something from. It’s a fascinating look at one simple question – “Where are you from?” Where do you call home? Is it where you born? Places you have lived? On the surface it seems that it should be easy to answer, but dig a bit deeper and, as in Max’s case, and it reveals just how complex the answer might actually be for some. For some children, giving an answer to this seemingly innocuous question might be easy, especially if they have grown up in the place they were born. But for others, especially those who might have moved around a lot or who have a strong connection to more than one place, the answer is anything but. This story does not offer a single definition of what home or identity is, however it does highlight just how fluid and complex these concepts are: ones that are shaped by experiences, relationships and emotions rather than geography alone.
Told as a conversation between two young boys, which makes it easier for young readers to relate to, its warm dialogue invites children to think about where they are from and what they call home. The book encourages young readers to think about what “home” means to them. Is it where you were born? Where you live now? Where your family is from? Or is it something more uniquely personal – a feeling, a memory, a connection?
And no picture book is complete without illustrations. To accompany the story, each page is illustrated by Marcin Poludniak, making the story more engaging. With vibrant and expressive images, each page is rich in detail that helps to tell the story. Each page is a visual delight and celebration of diversity, avoiding typical stereotypes. This results in a book that is as visually engaging as well as a thought-provoking read.
Hey, Where Are You From? is a gentle reminder, albeit a powerful one, that identity is not fixed and rigid, it is dynamic and fluid – something that is woven together from our personal experiences, the relationships we have with people and the places that have touched our lives that make us who we are. For children that have questions of belonging, or for those simply curious about the world around them, I feel that this book offers both comfort and inspiration.
This is more than just a good read, I think that it is an essential one. It is perfect for children, families, classrooms and libraries as it nurtures empathy, curiosity and pride in your own roots while helping to appreciate others. I feel that it will allow children to tell their own story while giving them the confidence to embrace every part of who they are. For me, this is a thoughtful, inclusive and beautifully crafted story, one that will hopefully spark meaningful conversations and linger in the hearts and minds of young readers long after the final page is flipped.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £7.99 (Paperback) / £2.20 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
