MISHKA written by Edward van de Vendel and illustrated by Anoush Elman

Edward van de Vendel and Anoush Elman’s MISHKA is a book that is little in appearance, features a tiny central character (a white dwarf rabbit) and, on a simplistic plot level, tells the small story of Roya, a 9-year-old girl who wants to be preferred by this rabbit, a fact that will be shown when he feels safe and secure enough to pee on her. But there is so much more to this story for gradually we learn of the family’s flight from Kabul, the six years they have spent in relocation camps before finding permanent status, and Roya’s desire to remember their journey. Her wish to remember sets off a realization within the family of how much trauma they have faced, and how the anti-immigration sentiment is still making for pain in their present. Periodic illustrations of this Dutch import by Annet Schapp add to its emotional tone. Find out more about this book and its upcoming audio in the purchase link below.