MY FAVORITE MEMORIES

In this German import, a little girl comes to understand that even though she cannot bring all her favorite things with her when she moves, she can keep them in her heart.

One day, a little girl’s papa says to her, “We’ll fly in an airplane to another country and live in a new house there.” Mama gives her daughter a new suitcase to pack her “most favorite things.” As the little girl makes a mental list—an aquarium; the wooden chair her grandpa made for her; her school bus driver, who always “sang songs with them”; and especially her very best friend, who is “such a good listener”—she realizes she can’t bring any of them with her. Sadly, she walks down to the docks by the ocean, also one of her favorite things. Then, looking out to the open sea, she has a brilliant idea and everything falls into place. Sarihi’s simple, heartfelt story is equally matched by Völk’s unfussy yet evocative illustrations. Blending fantasy and reality, her delicate line drawings are sparsely filled and deliberately surrounded by white space—calling attention to details and opening room for the imagination. The protagonist and her family have white skin and black hair; some background characters appear to be people of color.

A charming tale exploring themes of change, migration, and resilience told from a child’s point of view.