Seeking Shanti - by Jesse Byrd & Sandy Kaur Gill

Book Synopsis

Seeking Shanti: A Family's Story of Climate Migration is a beautifully illustrated children's book that tells the emotional story of a young girl and her family who are forced to leave their home due to rising floodwaters in Southeast Asia. As climate change disrupts their way of life, they must make the difficult choice to rebuild or migrate in search of safety and stability.
Inspired by real-world humanitarian efforts, this book is created by the same team behind Create-Structure and Better Shelter--organizations that have provided shelter to over 60,000 displaced families across more than 60 countries. The story offers a gentle but powerful introduction to climate migration, family resilience, and global awareness, making it an ideal choice for socially conscious storytelling.
Key Features:
- Children's Book About Climate Change and Migration - Introduces kids to the effects of global warming and climate displacement through a relatable and heartwarming story.
- Socially Conscious Storytelling for Ages 5-8 - Engages young readers with themes of family, loss, courage, and rebuilding after natural disaster.
- Supports SEL and Classroom Learning - Great for social-emotional learning (SEL) programs and classroom discussions around climate justice, global citizenship, and environmental education.
- Created by Climate Relief Experts - From the founders of Better Shelter and Create-Structure, drawing on real-world humanitarian experience in over 60 countries.
Perfect for educators, caregivers, and young readers ages 5-8, Seeking Shanti encourages empathy, critical thinking, and hope for a better, more sustainable future.

About the Author

Jesse Byrd is an international award-winning children's book author and the youngest NPR Board member. At 6'8", Jesse pivoted from playing basketball at UCSB to pursue his passion for storytelling. After working at Google in Silicon Valley and later EY in Dubai as Director of Communications for Middle East and North Africa, Jesse turned all of his energy toward his deepest love: making stories for youth and families with a focus on supporting diverse creators and #own voices material. He's written six children's books and helped produce over 40 others as an editor, art director, and publishing consultant. Jesse is based in Los Angeles, CA.

Sandy Kaur Gill is a school teacher of Punjabi decent originally from Toronto, Ontario.

Monica Paolo Rodriguez is a Puerto Rico based illustrator and animator who has created art for Scholastic, Marvel, and more.