Islandborn

Lola was born in the Dominican Republic but now lives in a big American city and she can’t remember life on the island so she talks with family, friends, and neighbours to collect memories of her birthplace and draw a notebook full of images. Lola hears of its beauty, music, colours, and vibrancy, but also hears of frightening and terrible events that prompted her family’s exodus, and finally Lola can imagine her island and realizes that it is an important part of who she is. This lyrical, captivating picture book with its vibrant illustrations can be used as a read-aloud in K-4 to prompt discussion of, and creative activities around, personal and cultural identity, storytelling, immigration, and diversity.