Mina Belongs Here

Ages 4 to 8

Mina is worried about starting a kindergarten in her new country where the only word she can understand is her name. A warm and emotive story that explores how sharing a language can encourage a sense of belonging through a gentle story and lively illustrations.At Mina's kindergarten she listens to stories, songs and chatter in an unfamiliar language. She tries out sounds that roar in her throat and tickle her tongue until the new words feel like her own. Then one day, Mina realises that this language now belongs to her, and she belongs to this new world.Mina Belongs Here is a heartfelt and uplifting story of a migrant experience and discovering a sense of belonging through shared words. The expressive illustrations begin in muted monochrome, slowly transforming to vibrant color as Mina's understanding grows.

About the Author

Sandra Niebuhr-Siebert is an eminent professor, linguist and children's author from Germany. Her career has included speech therapy and teaching at numerous universities, and she is currently the honorary head of the reading jury for the KIMI seal, for diversity in children's books. Mina Belongs Here is her first picture book, inspired by Sandra's extensive research into multilingualism in childcare and educational settings.Lars Baus is an illustrator from Bavaria, Germany. He studied illustration and animation at the Munster Academy of Art. Lars has worked as a graphic designer and a freelance illustrator and is the illustrator of several children's books.