Paloma flies away

Chilean Guarda's picture book (originally published in Spanish) introduces young Paloma, who lives in a country ruled by a dictator. She and her parents flee to another country where they are welcome, and while Paloma quickly adjusts, her parents long for everything they left behind. Eventually the family returns home--an easy transition for the adults but a bit more difficult for Paloma. Guarda's succinct story offers just enough information for young listeners to understand the emotional trauma of life in exile without including confusing political details. Simple ink-line doodle art is softened with splashes of watercolor, employing a limited palette for each setting: dark browns and reds for the dictatorship; turquoise in the host country; and purples for the home state, post-dictatorship. Birds, signifying freedom, appear on many spreads. Paloma's emotions and resilience are also beautifully depicted: the stress of leaving without goodbyes, the joy of new friends and adventures, and becoming reacquainted with old family and friends. A poignant portrayal of home, family, and support in trying times.

"My parents named me Paloma. They wanted me to be as free as a bird." But Paloma was born in a country ruled by a dictator. When things become too difficult, the family abruptly leaves. "We didn't get to say goodbye or even pack." The intrepid Paloma is excited but misses home dearly. Sharing photos and phone calls with far-away relatives, Paloma maintains connections while embracing a new life. Paloma's parents long for their homeland, which Paloma now struggles to remember clearly. The family has always known that they will go back one day, and when they do, it's on their own terms. Now Paloma experiences the adventure of returning to an old-yet-new-again country and readjusting to being home for good. Simple yet poignant text paired with soft watercolor and ink illustrations together deliver a profound tale of resilience, belonging, and the complex emotions tied to migration and homecoming. Sepia backgrounds give the illustrations a solemnity tempered by the doodlelike linework and smudges of color, which infuse the tale with a childlike whimsy. Throughout, birds serve as symbols of freedom and hope. Paloma's narration is direct and captures the sincerity of young children beautifully. The family is brown-skinned, though what country they're from is never revealed. A gentle yet powerful reminder of the strength it takes to find home, both in new places and in the heart.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.