Help ARA’s Emergency Support Service get Jonas to safety
May 25, 2020
How your support is helping communities stop family violence
June 4, 2020
A child’s gift keeps on giving
Anisa’s Alphabet is a new picture book about a child refugee’s journey, by award-winning Australian writer Mike Dumbleton and well-known illustrator Hannah Sommerville.
For many refugees, the alphabet represents the start of a new language and a new future. This poignant and highly imaginative telling of one girl’s story will appeal to children and adults alike.
Anisa’s Alphabet was recently launched by South Australian Governor and ARA patron, His Excellency, the Honorable Hieu Van Le AC, himself a former refugee. Part proceeds from book sales will support the practical work of ARA.
Order Anisa’s Alphabet from SA publisher MidnightSun and for a limited time, get free delivery, plus 30% off for orders over $50: midnightsunpublishing.com
Reviews for Anisa’s Alphabet
Written as a poem, each line is dedicated to a particular letter of the alphabet. But this impressive book is also much more than that. Each letter unlocks a part of Anisa Alidurahn’s life; particularly exploring her experience as a refugee.
K is for kiss, as mum holds me tight.; L is for leaving, late at night.
In few words, Mike Dumbleton (of Cat fame) describes the young girl fleeing her unspecified homeland with her family when fighting breaks out, travelling in fear to a refugee camp, sailing through storms in a rickety boat, to ultimately arrive in a new country…and another refugee camp. Will she be welcomed? Will she be returned? The understated text tells the poignant story beautifully.
The Children’s Book Council of Australia, Reading Time
Never before have simple letters carried so much weight… This poignant picture book exhibits duality with serious tenderness, providing several levels of learning and discussion. A touching introduction to change, language and world matters of humanity by accomplished picture book story tellers.
