Migrations

From all over the world, picture book illustrators sent original images and personal messages, in postcard form, for Migrations, an exhibition at the Biennial of Illustration, Bratislava, in 2017, curated by the University of Worcester's International Centre for the Picture Book in Society. Over fifty of the cards are reproduced in this very special book. 

The book is divided into themes of Departures, Long Journeys, Arrivals and Hope for the Future.

The facsimile postcard text includes personal messages of hope from the illustrators, as well as quotes from writers including Emily Dickinson, WB Yeats, John Clare, and Anita Desai. Robert Macfarlane has written a poem specially for the postcard drawn by Jackie Morris.

Illustrators include Christopher Corr, Marie-Louise Gay, Piet Grobler, Petr Horacek, Isol, Jon Klassen, Neal Layton, PJ Lynch, Roger Mello, Jackie Morris, Jane Ray, Chris Riddell, Axel Scheffler and Shaun Tan. In total, illustrators from 28 countries have contributed.

Migrations carries a powerful message about human migration, showing how cultures, ideas and aspirations flow despite borders, barriers and bans.

Short-listed for Books Are My Bag Readers Award 2019 (UK)

"A book to return to over and over. The foreword from Shaun Tan will make your imagination soar. It's a precious book to keep returning to and a perfect gift to inspire and give hope; a reminder of the universal power of art and storytelling. A book with beautiful wings to help us fly through turbulent skies."

"A lovely pocket-sized book, filled with images and words which encourage the viewer to mull on what it means to leave for a new, maybe safer, future. As relevant now as it was a few years ago at the start of its journey from exhibition to publication."

"A beautiful small format book that could provide lots of discussion points for classes, as well as offering the opportunity to look at different art forms and techniques from around the world."

"This is not a book to be pigeonholed; it also needs to migrate – to take that flight of imagination – and find a home not just on every shelf but in every hand and mind."

"Fifty of the postcards are replicated in this fascinating book and it’s such a positive message about the impact that migration of people can have on the way that cultures and ideas can flow despite the borders and barriers that are put up.It’s a clever idea and is a really good way to introduce ideas of migration with children."

"'It has hope pulling the strands of the journey together, a dream of something better. Each journey and illustration is an individual act, but very much part of a whole." 

"Exceptional and stimulating...The differing styles of illustration are fascinating to study, and the accompanying texts are thoughtful and perceptive."

"...It feels impossible to read this book without lingering on favourite pictures, words that go straight to your heart and the powerful combinations of words and pictures. There seem to be endless possibilities for the use of this book.The book is called Migrations. Open Hearts. Open Borders and it certainly opened my heart."

"Wonderful, poignant...a truly heartfelt read. This book would be a wonderful resource in a learning setting...and the artwork throughout is stunning." 

"A source of pride, beautiful to hold and a showcase for the work of illustrators."

"Everyone needs a copy of Migrations; it reaches out to us all, offering another beacon on the uphill climb towards the creation of a better world for everyone, young, old and in-between."

"A poignant book which collates artwork from across the world to express solidarity and support with the migrants who face great danger and struggle to find a better place."

"Both thought-provoking and utterly beautiful, with the strong message of acceptance and the dissolution of our preconceptions about nationality and borders emanating from every page. This really is something stunning and well worth picking up."

"This extraordinary book comes from the innovative imprint Otter-Barry whose though-provoking titles never fail to surprise and delight...There is so much here to see, absorb and scrutinise as well as the profoundly important message: the images, words, stamps, handwriting. It has huge potential for children to generate their own images and words. There should be a copy of this book in every classroom in the country."

"Really lovely...A very important and timely book."

Migrations, an exhibition of the International Centre for the Picture Book in Society, was first shown at BIBIANA, Bratislava, in September 2017. The ICPBS, founded at the University of Worcester, England, by Piet Grobler and Tobias Hickey, emphasises and  celebrates the power of illustration to engage with society, particularly by focusing on issues of cultural diversity and the inclusivity of minorities and socially disenfranchised people.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.