On The Road to Reunification

Illustrating a children’s book for Global Refuge

ILLUSTRATION

CHARACTER DESIGN

LAYOUT & PRINT PRODUCTION

SPANISH TRANSLATION

Statistics showing 1,821 children served through foster care, 8,507 asylum seekers received respite services, and 378 Ukrainian refugees resettled in the Global Refuge network.

WHO IS GLOBAL REFUGE?

Global Refuge works with the U.S. government and their network partners to place refugee and unaccompanied immigrant children in loving homes with licensed foster parents who are trained to provide care for immigrant youth. This is part of the process to reunify them with family members.

I was hired to develop a bi-lingual children’s book that reflects these experiences.

Two children, a boy and a girl, holding hands while walking along a fenced pathway outdoors, accompanied by an adult. The children are wearing backpacks, and the scene suggests a casual walk or hike in a natural setting.

OUR STORY FOLLOWS DANIELA AND TOMÁS AS THEY LEAVE THEIR GRANDMOTHER’S HOME IN GUATEMALA AND TRAVEL TO THE U.S.

OUR BRAVE YOUNG KIDS TRAVEL ON FOOT AND THROUGH THE AIR, CONNECT WITH THEIR FOSTER FAMILY, AND FINALLY REUNITE WITH THEIR BELOVED MOTHER.

Two backpacks, one brown and one yellow, are placed side by side on a black background.
Illustration showing the emotional progression of a boy named Tomás at age 8, from happiness to anger to happiness, with different outfits, poses, and facial expressions.

Character development

Initial character designs

Tomás (8)

Enjoys school and raises his hand a lot in class. He also enjoys playing soccer with his friends. He is very cautious around new people, but is very loyal and loving once he is won over.

Daniela (10)

Is a very social girl, who loves reading. She is very protective of her little brother, and has a deep connection with her grandmother. 

  • Young boys can often feel discouraged from feeling their emotions freely. Tomás wears his heart on his sleeve to readers know that it is okay to express themselves.

    All main characters wear neutral clothing and colors so that the reader can better project their own stories onto the characters.

  • Women and girls of color are often depicted with a lighter skin color. Careful to avoid that stereotype, Daniela has slightly darker skin than Tomás.

    Many hispanic female characters are also designed with straight hair, so I wanted to show Daniela with curly hair, to help kids with curls to feel more confident and accepted.

A girl and a boy with brown hair sitting by a fireplace. The girl, wearing a green shirt and blue shorts, is kneeling and appears to be speaking or explaining something. The boy, in a red shirt and dark shorts, is sitting cross-legged with arms around his knees, listening attentively.
Illustrations of children and adults in various settings, including at the airport, a dance class, and a classroom, with accompanying text in English and Spanish describing their experiences.

THEIR STORY ON THE PAGE

SKETCH TO FINAL ILLUSTRATION

Sketch of a scene with six people, including children and adults, outside near a tree with a tire swing, a building with a door, and a window with plants inside. Some people are smiling and interacting.
A group of children and adults greeting each other outside a house in a yard with trees, a tire swing, a bicycle, and a large window with curtains.
Three children sitting on benches in front of a chain-link fence; one slumped over, appearing to be asleep or upset, while the other two comfort each other.

SENSITIVE TOPICS

Family gathering at a kitchen table with a woman serving food and two children receiving it, surrounded by plates and glasses of water.

A FAMILY REUNION

Open children's storybook with illustrations of an airport and travelers, set on a pink and red background with a pink and purple stand.