“ Migrants is deeply emotional, unsentimental, dignified, respectful, beautiful. It is about courage, getting up, continuing on, starting again. It demands full emotional attention and makes us want to read it again and again.” Julia Marshall, Publisher
Issa Watanabe was born in Peru in 1980, the daughter of an illustrator and a poet. She studied Literature and Fine Arts and Illustration. Watanabe has led and developed several projects to promote social integration through art. She has published a number of books and was selected for the Illustrators Exhibition at the Bologna Book Fair 2018.
"I don’t think I can come up with enough superlatives for
Watanabe’s superb illustrations. She captures a range of emotions
in the faces of the anthropomorphic animals."
*The Pirate Tree*
"This book is perfect for exploring with children. It will open
conversations around migration and what it means to leave home to
seek refuge."
*Scottish BookTrust*
"It’s a rare feat: a wordless picture book in which the absence of
text intensifies the stories it tells. With its stark dearth of
color, seen only where necessary, and evocative imagery, the
artist’s pictures make the migrant’s journey — distinct yet
everyday — feel palpable. A raw, startling portrait of
migration."
*Kirkus Review, starred.*
"Magnificent illustrations with black backgrounds and vibrant
colors effectively tell this wordless tale about migration...The
weight of their experience and message is powerful.
Outstanding International Book 2021"
*USBBY*
"An important story, told with sensitivity and a firm understanding
of the form, this is an excellent wordless picture-book."
*Books Ireland*
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