Mishka - by Edward Van De Vendel & Anoush Elman (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Winner of the national book award for children's literature in the Netherlands - a sweet and tender story of a girl refugee finding a new home! Roya, her three brothers, and their parents have a new family member - Mishka, a bunny rabbit. He soon becomes a beloved part of their new home and gradually, the rabbit - and also Roya - get to hear the story of the family's journey from Afghanistan to the Netherlands. Told from different perspectives every time: big Bashir, gentle Hamayun, tough Navid, and sometimes Mom and Dad. Mishka and Roya listen. Anoush Elman and Edward van de Vendel became friends upon Elman's arrival in the Netherlands, and 15 years later, they decided to write a story for younger readers about his family's experience. This gorgeous chapter book - illustrated throughout in full color - is a tender, lyrical story of a young girl processing a new country, new school, and new friends - and a bunny escape! - in a story readers and parents will treasure"--

Book Synopsis

Winner of the National Book Award for Children's Literature in the Netherlands!

A tender, lyrical story of an Afghani girl finding a new home, new friends, and refuge--with the help of a very special bunny.

Meet Roya, her three brothers, and their parents. They've just welcomed a new family member: Mishka, a fluffy bunny rabbit! Mishka quickly becomes the beloved heart of their new home in the Netherlands. As Mishka settles in, he (and Roya!) gradually learn the incredible story of their family's journey from Afghanistan, told from the unique perspectives of big Bashir, gentle Hamayun, tough Navid, and sometimes Mom and Dad.

Inspired by co-author Anoush Elman's own experiences fleeing Afghanistan as a child, this gorgeous, full-color illustrated chapter book by Anoush Elman and Edward van de Vendel is a story readers and parents will treasure. It's a heartwarming tale of a young girl navigating a new country, a new school, and the joys (and challenges!) of making new friends--and yes, even a bunny escape!

P R A I S E

★ "Deftly weaving in moments of humor, joy, and sadness, the authors offer a gentle, child's-eye view of the dangers the family faces... Profoundly and charmingly moving."
-- Kirkus (starred review)

★ "Van de Vendel and Elman's touching narrative... gets to the emotional heart of Roya's circumstances... This is a story with deftly drawn characters and clearly demonstrated familial love. Schaap's full-page color portraits of various characters with Mishka add elegance to this evocative and memorable presentation."
-- Booklist (starred review)

★ "This tender novel, narrated in a simple, affecting voice by nine-year-old Roya, gently illuminates the disorienting effects of the refugee experience on a child... sensitively written and poignant."
-- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

BEST OF THE YEAR
Publishers Weekly - NYPL - Booklist

Review Quotes

[STAR] "This tender novel, narrated in a simple, affecting voice by nine-year-old Roya, gently illuminates the disorienting effects of the refugee experience on a child... sensitively written and poignant." - Publishers Weekly (starred)

"In this moving novel about home and belonging, a beloved bunny helps a refugee family tap into their collective stories." - Foreword

[STAR] "Deftly weaving in moments of humor, joy, and sadness, the authors offer a gentle, child's-eye view of the dangers the family faces... Profoundly and charmingly moving." - Kirkus (starred)

[STAR] "Van de Vendel and Elman's touching narrative (inspired by Elman's own experiences fleeing Afghanistan as a child) gets to the emotional heart of Roya's circumstances... This is a story with deftly drawn characters and clearly demonstrated familial love. Schaap's full-page color portraits of various characters with Mishka add elegance to this evocative and memorable presentation." - Booklist (starred)

About the Author

Edward van de Vendel has been a school principal, founder, and teacher. He has been nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Prize, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and received the German Jugendliteratur Prize; in 2023, he received the highest honor for children's books in the Netherlands: the Gouden Griffel, for Mishka. Edward lives in Amersfoort, and travels widely.

Author residence: Netherlands

Anoush Elman was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. When he was twelve he came to live in the Netherlands with his parents, brothers and sister, where the family had to wait seven years before receiving their residence permit. After high school he studied applied psychology, took a job as senior researcher at Pharos, the Dutch Center of Expertise On Health Disparities, and obtained his doctorate in 2022.

Author residence: Netherlands

Annet Schaap is a children's book illustrator and in 2017 made her debut as both writer and illustrator for Lampje, which won the Gouden Griffel, the British Carnegie Medal, and the Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi, and has been translated into 22 languages.

Illustratorresidence: Netherlands

Nancy Forest-Flier is an American-born translator and editor living and working in the Netherlands. She has translated several adult and children's novels from Dutch to English as well as books of historical non-fiction. She has also translated for numerous Dutch museums and institutes including the Anne Frank House. She has six children and ten grandchildren.

Translator residence: Netherlands