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The Little Refugee by Anh Do and Suzanne Do, illustrated by Bruce Whatley
JUDGES' COMMENTS
The Little Refugee is a biographical study of the childhood experiences of Australian comedian and author Anh Do. While personal histories of migration and settlement in Australia are common, it is rare to see the migration experience distilled for younger children’s literature in such a simple yet powerful manner. Through a child’s eyes, the reader shares the perils of Anh Do’s escape from Vietnam and the difficulties of settling into a new land and society.
The words of Ahn and Suzanne Do provide a narrative that speaks to young readers in a heartfelt and engaging manner. The words are wonderfully complemented by Bruce Whatley’s artwork, which provides another level of engagement. Its style and tone foster a sense of historical understanding for young readers and provide insights and new perspectives on an episode in our nation’s recent past.