Hassan feels out of place in a new cold, grey country. At school, he paints a picture showing his colourful Somalian home, covered with the harsh colours of war from which his family has fled. He tells his teacher about their voyage from Mogadishu to Mombasa, then to the refugee camp and on to England. But gradually things change. When Hassan's parents put up his next picture on the wall, Hassan notices the maroon prayer mat, a bright green cushion and his sister Naima's pink dress - the new colours of home.

About the Author

Mary Hoffman has written around 90 books for children. Amazing Grace, commended for the Kate Greenaway medal, has sold over 1.5 million copies. Its sequel, Grace & Family was among Junior Education's Best Books of 1995 and shortlisted for the Sheffield Libraries Book Award 1996. To visit Mary Hoffman's website click here Karin Littlewood studied Graphic Design at Newcastle University, followed by an MA in illustration at Manchester University. She has worked in editorial, packaging, design and advertising, as well as publishing. Swallow Journey was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2001.

Reviews

The author has succeeded once again in evoking feeling with her narrative. The reader cannot help but become emotionally charged by the events and the response of the characters to those events. www.writeaway.org.uk This is a warm, ultimately hopeful story about the world of a refugee child, and the compassion and understanding shown to him by his teachers and schoolmates. The Ultimate First Book Guide