By Cyrisse Jaffee

From exile to everyday kindness, these picture books trace how belonging is built—through resilience, community, and imagination.

Paloma Flies Away by María J. Guarda. Translated from Spanish by Melanie Córdova. Candlewick Press, 2021, 2025.

Gus Upstairs by Care Sookocheff. Owlkids Books, 2026.

Flowers for Mama by Deborah Freedman. Viking, 2026

Paloma’s home country, in Paloma Flies Away, has “lost its freedom.” She explains: “A man had taken over our country and its people. They called him Dictator.” She and her parents must flee. Arriving in a new place is “a big adventure,” even though Paloma initially misses her other home. Luckily, she and her family find safe refuge with friends and family. Soon Paloma is comfortable in her new home,  but she eventually realizes that one day they will go back. And so they do—to a country that feels different but familiar.

This is a timely story about people who experience political upheaval and are forced to leave a country they love. It will help children understand the plight of refugees and immigrants, and the importance of welcoming “strangers.” The muted browns and purples of the illustrations—plus Paloma herself, a little girl with glasses and braids—perfectly complement the simple text (translated from Spanish), which deftly tells a complicated story.

Ms. Wilson has lived in Apartment 1A for a long time in Gus Upstairs. She likes her upstairs neighbors, the Lams, but she also likes the peace and quiet of the weekdays when they leave for school and work. She looks forward to playing the piano and enjoying the silence. Then the Lams adopt Gus, a brown and white puppy. He loves his new home but is terribly lonely when he is left alone on weekdays. He barks and howls, especially when he hears Ms. Wilson play music—while she, in turn, is dismayed by his noisiness.

Once Ms. Wilson explains the problem to the Lams, they apologize. Together, the neighbors come up with a solution. Gus will stay with Ms. Wilson during the day! Together they enjoy not just her music but each other’s company as well.

This is a lovely, heartwarming story about compromise, communication, and intergenerational friendship. The sweet illustrations add just the right “note” to the story, with appealing, everyday people and objects. Children will love Gus right away and will be happy with the satisfying ending.

The kittens in Flowers for Mama love their mother and their home. But what to get for her birthday is a little challenging. They know she likes flowers but all they can find are weeds. Soon they decide to create their own flowers.

Tulip uses orange chalk and red paint and “swish-swished and splatter-splash-stamped” her drawing. Oleander (Oli) uses a spoon to put brown dirt in a pot, hoping flowers will grow. Herbie makes a collage, and Blossom uses her imagination to make a pattern that turns into a song. On the big day, Mama is thrilled with her flowers, but Oli is disappointed that his flower isn’t ready. Mama reassures him that “Special things are worth waiting for” and promises him that she appreciates it as much as her other presents.

Filled—of course—with delightful swatches of color (and very adorable kittens), this is a paean to creativity and art. If home is where the heart is, the love shared by Mama and her kittens feels like a big hug. In addition to inspiring kids to use their own imaginations, the story also demonstrates how homemade gifts, made with love, are a wonderful alternative to store-bought presents.

Cyrisse Jaffee is a former children’s and YA librarian, children’s book editor, and a creator of educational materials for WGBH. She holds a master’s degree in Library Science from Simmons College and lives in Newton, MA.