Bahram Rahman

Lovely story about a Afghan girl's perseverance after surviving a tragic accident with a land mine (this is not directly discussed) and losing her leg. Aria wants to continue her education, but finds it very difficult to sit on the floor of her school room with her helper leg. All of the school's furniture was burned by displaced families to keep warm during the winter months of fighting. Aira rises to the challenge by building her own bench for the school room with her mother's support even though her classmates say that girls don't do such things. When Aria surprises her classmates with the blue bench she has built, she inspires the girls to build more furniture for their school.

I thought the voice of Aria was authentic and the book is a thoughtful introduction to the ramifications of the war in Afghanistan and the impacts on children. Illustrations are colorful and vibrant.… (més)

Bahram Rahman's “If You See a Bluebird,” illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, is a heartfelt tale exploring displacement, family, and the essence of “home.” Centering on Ali, a young boy from Kabul, the story juxtaposes his joyful past with the challenges of war and relocation. Rahman's genuine narrative, paralleled in works like “A Sky-Blue Bench” and “The Library Bus,” provides a sincere perspective on the refugee experience.

Grimard's illustrations vividly depict the contrast between Ali's warm memories and his new environment, enhancing the book's emotional depth. This story transcends the typical children's book, offering an exploration of home as a sentiment of love and belonging, rather than a physical space.

“If You See a Bluebird” serves as a powerful tool in classrooms, introducing children to experiences they might not otherwise encounter. It's an accessible way to foster empathy and understanding in young readers, helping them grasp the complexities faced by those who leave their homeland.… (més)

This is one of those picture books that is both joyful and sad. In this book Ali tells his grandmother he wishes the fighting would stop and he could go home, but she lets him know that home is where the people you love are. Home is not a place. Home can be anywhere. We read about Ali immigrating from Kabul Afghanistan to Canada. And while that part of the story seems simple and brave, the adult reader knows it was hard and dangerous. The story is very well done and very contemplative. I’m glad it exists and I’m glad I read it.… (més)

This book is about a young girl who is an amputee and has the added factor of needing a prosthetic, or what she calls her "helper leg". As a young girl going to school in Afghanistan, she realizes that she requires a bench to sit at during classes, which is what prompts her to build it herself. I would recommend this book to kinder-2nd or third grade students. This book would be most appropriate for that age group because I feel that those are the ages where this book can be most understood and appreciated. Within that, kindergarten students may not fully comprehend the significance of the book, but they can appreciate the amount of color that is used.… (més)