Rosa's Song

By Helena Ku Rhee, Pascal Campion (Illustrator)

A young immigrant finds friendship and community in a new world, guided by a song of hope.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 247 ratings

40 pages· 764 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Jae, a young immigrant from South Korea, feels lost in his new apartment until he meets Rosa, a girl with a colorful bird. As they bond, Rosa shows Jae how imagination can bridge the gap between his old and new homes. When Rosa leaves, she entrusts Jae with her parrot and a heartfelt song. Jae becomes a beacon of friendship for other newcomers, sharing Rosa's song and kindness. Can Jae help others find their place in this unfamiliar world?

From the publisher

In this diverse picture book, a young immigrant from South Korea finds community and friendship in an apartment house filled with other newly arrived kids. When Jae looks out the window of his new home, he wishes he could still see his old village, his old house, and his old friends. But his new apartment feels empty and nothing outside is familiar. Jae just arrived from South Korea and doesn’t even speak the new language. Yet, making friends is the same wherever you go and he soon meets a girl with a colorful bird perched on her shoulder. Rosa knows just how Jae feels and the two become fast friends. Not only does Rosa show Jae his new neighborhood but she shows him how his imagination can bring back memories of his old home. Then Rosa leaves unexpectedly one night but leaves her parrot for Jae. He thinks about the song that Rosa would sing: “When I fly away, my heart stays here.” And when Jae meets two other newly arrived kids, he teaches them Rosa’s song and becomes their guide to this new world. From the creators of the highly acclaimed The Paper Kingdom, comes a new book about the importance of community and demonstrates how a simple act of kindness can be passed along to others.

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