5 Picture Books for Families Affected by Deportations and Detainment
Tools for families, caregivers, and teachers supporting kids through family separation
As a mother to a 4 month old and a toddler, I cannot even fathom being ripped away from my children ~ sent away to a place I no longer call home while my little ones are left behind ~ worrying, waiting, and wondering why I’m not coming back to them.
I am horrified that this nightmare is becoming the reality for so many immigrant families. Families belong together, and here’s your reminder that *no one is illegal on stolen land.*
When a loved one is detained or deported, the effects ripple through the entire family~ especially young children. The fear, confusion, and grief that follow can be hard to name, let alone explain. Picture books can’t erase these realities, but they can help children feel seen, supported, and less alone.
These 4 books can help support families navigating separation due to detainment and deportation over immigrant status. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, or caregiver, you can share these stories as gentle entry points for big conversations that are rooted in love, resilience, and the power of holding on to each other, even from afar.
So here I am ~ outraged that these stories need to exist ~ but so grateful that they do.
4 Picture Books to Help Address Deportations and Detainment
Featuring a deported parent
*I Wish You Knew* by Jackie Azúa Kramer (Amazon | Bookshop) | Estrella’s father is deported because he wasn’t born in this country. She misses him deeply and wishes others understood how his deportation affects her daily life ~ at home, at school, and everywhere in between. But in a classroom centered around empathy and listening, Estrella discovers she’s not alone. Other children are facing their own challenges, too. Through shared stories around an ancient oak tree and supportive community, they all find comfort in knowing they’re seen and heard.
*Until Someone Listens* by Estela Juarez (Amazon | Bookshop) | A powerful, autobiographical picture book about Estela Juarez, a young girl whose family is torn apart when her mother is deported to Mexico. Devastated but determined, Estela channels her heartbreak into action ~ writing letters to newspapers, lawmakers, and even the President in hopes of bringing her mom back. Her words eventually reach the national spotlight, showing that even a child’s voice can spark change. This emotional story is a moving testament to the resilience of families facing deportation and the impact of speaking up for what’s right.
Featuring a detained parent & detained children
*Something Happened to My Dad* by Ann Hazzard and Vivianna Aponte Rivera (Amazon | Bookshop) | Carmen who loves performing magic with her Papi—until one day, he disappears. When she learns that he has been detained for being undocumented, Carmen feels sadness, fear, and confusion. At first, her family keeps the truth a secret, but as their community finds out, they surround Carmen with support and love. With the strength of that support, Carmen learns the importance of staying connected to her father and to face an uncertain future with hope.
*Mama’s Nightingale* by Edwidge Danticat (Amazon | Bookshop) | When Saya’s mother is sent away to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in the Haitian folktales her mother records and sends on cassette tapes. Inspired by these stories, and by her father’s determination to reunite their family, Saya writes a heartfelt story of her own in hopes of bringing her mother home.
*Hear My Voice* by Warren Binford (Amazon | Bookshop) | A powerful bilingual picture book that gives voice to 61 migrant children detained at the US-Mexico border. Told in their own words, drawn from sworn testimonies, the stories reflect the fear, uncertainty, and resilience of children from countries like Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Mexico. Presented in both English and Spanish, and illustrated by 17 acclaimed Latinx artists, this moving book raises awareness about the realities of immigration detention and invites readers to listen, empathize, and take action. Proceeds support Project Amplify, advocating for the rights of migrant children.
Support the Detained Immigrant Bond Fund
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Here’s to raising our young readers and future leaders.
Reading and Resisting,
Maya
Love this list 💜💜💜