The Little Refugee

Teacher Resource

Publisher's synopsis

Anh Do’s inspirational story about his family’s incredible escape from war-torn Vietnam and his childhood in Australia, told especially for children.

HONOUR BOOK: CBCA Book of the Year, Eve Pownell Award for Information Books, 2012

Giant waves crashed down on our little boat. I was terrified but my mum hugged me tight and told me, ‘Everything will be okay. Don’t worry, it will be okay.’

Anh Do nearly didn’t make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. It was a dangerous journey, with murderous pirates and terrifying storms, but they managed to survive. Life in suburban Australia was also hard for a small boy with no English and funny lunches. But there was a loving extended family, lots of friends, and always something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram. And eventually for a young Anh, who tried hard to see the bright side of life no matter what the difficulty, there was triumph. Awarded an Honour Book in the 2012 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year awards, The Little Refugee tells the uplifting and inspiring childhood story of one of Australia’s favourite personalities.

Awards

Winner, Indie Awards, Children’s Category, 2012, AU
Runner-up, CBCA Book of the Year, Eve Pownell Award for Information Books, 2012, 2012, AU
Commended, Kids Own Australian Literature Awards (KOALAs), Picture Books, 2013, AU
Short-listed, Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award for Lower Primary, 2012, AU
Short-listed, Reading and Enjoying Australian Literature (REAL) Awards, Picture Storybooks, 2013, AU
Short-listed, West Australian Premier’s Literary Award, 2012, AU
Short-listed, Australian Educational Publishing Awards, Primary Student Resource (Arts/Science/Humanities), 2012, AU
Short-listed, NSW Premier’s History Awards, 2012, AU
Short-listed, Red Dot Awards, Younger Readers category, 2013, SG

Other Recommended Titles

My Two Blankets

Refugees

Room on our Rock

Waves

Anh Do

Anh Do is one of Australia’s best-loved storytellers. His series, including Wolf Girl, Skydragon and WeirDo, are adored by millions of kids around the country.

Photo courtesy of Allen & Unwin

Bruce Whatley

Since 1992 Bruce Whatley has written and/or illustrated more than 90 children’s picture books. His internationally award-winning titles include his first two books, The Ugliest Dog in the World and Looking for Crabs. He often writes with his wife Rosie Smith and has also had much success with the Diary of a Wombat series created with Jackie French.

Bruce uses a variety of illustration mediums including gouache, pen and ink, pencil, oils, watercolour and more recently CGI software. Tin Toys, The Watchmaker Who Saved Christmas and Ruben are classic examples of his search for new ways to create images.

Bruce and Rosie live on the south coast of New South Wales.

Photo by Rosie Smith, courtesy of Penguin Random House Australia

Buy the Book

Further Details

Author Anh Do

Illustrator Bruce Whatley

Publisher Allen & Unwin

Date of Publication 2011

ISBN 9781742378329

Category Children's Books

SCIS number

5472116