A Suitcase Full Review: Carrying Home in Your Heart

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Kimia filled the suitcase with toys and books, flowers and ribbons."

A Suitcase Full by Maryam Kia tells the story of Kimia, a young girl who must leave her home in Iran with her parents due to the war. With only one suitcase allowed, she has to leave behind so many things she loves and say goodbye to her beloved grandmother, Nana-joon. What follows is a journey across the world, from London to Paris, and finally to the sunny city of Honolulu. 

When she finally arrives at her new school, a class project provides her with the perfect opportunity to share her story. She opens her suitcase not just with objects, but with her history, helping her make new friends and realize that home isn't just one place, it's also the love and memories you carry with you. 

The story is told with such warmth and wonder even though it touches on serious themes like leaving home and war. For kids who experience the same thing, it makes them feel understood and at the same time teaches them about empathy, strength, and appreciating different cultures. 

The illustrations are stunning. There is so much to see on every page. From the detailed design of a carpet that sweeps across the pages to highlighting the different places she went, they make her story feel so real. 

My favorite part of the story is how Kimia learned to find joy in every place she visited. Moving from place to place isn't easy. Every time Kimia starts to settle, they have to leave again. But, she can still find something good, collects little memories and keeps them safe in her suitcase, and even sends sweet postcards back home to Nana-joon.

It’s emotional, heartwarming, and hopeful all at once. Perfect for reading time in classes or story time at home! 

Thank you to Free Spirit Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with the review copy.