Drawn Across Borders: True Stories of Migration
Author-illustrator George Butler’s debut was formed from a series of interviews with migrants and refugees, detailing their experiences of migration. These personal accounts were shared with the author during a number of travels to areas with high levels of migration between 2011 and 2018. The people that he met did not have the option to remain at home safely for a variety of reasons, with migration becoming a means of survival for many. These accounts discuss the events leading up to departure, the struggles of the journey and what must be left behind in the process of finding a new home.
Each story is accompanied by colour sketches that were created by Butler as the interviews took place. The images depict snapshots of the aftermath of war, the uncertainty faced by those travelling to a new country and starting a new life. This approach to the narrative is both interesting and highly effective, as the author creates vivid imagery that calls on the reader to acknowledge the complexities of migration and the effects that it has on millions of people.
While this is a tough read, it is also an important one. The author gives due compassion to these accounts, and the stories will remain with you long after the final page is turned. A must read for older children who wish to understand current affairs in the world, or those who have an interest in history.
